Observation of magnetization and exchange bias reversals in NdFe0.5Cr0.5O3

Polycrystalline NdFe0.5Cr0.5O3 has orthorhombic structure with Pnma space group and is magnetically ordered at room temperature as confirmed by neutron diffraction. The magnetic structure involves CxGyFz type ordering of Fe3+/Cr3+ ions. NdFe0.5Cr0.5O3 shows magnetization reversal and sign reversal of exchange bias at ~16 K. Nd3+ moments that get induced by the internal field of |Fe+Cr| sublattice couple antiferromagnetically with the ferromagnetic component of |Fe+Cr| sublattice. Nd3+ moments overcome the |Fe+Cr| moments at ~16 K below which the material shows negative magnetization and positive exchange bias.