Magnetic behaviour of the orthochromite La0.5Gd0.5CrO3

Magnetic behaviour of the perovskite La0.5Gd0.5CrO3 has been studied. The orthochromite orders canted antiferromagnetically below Neel temperature TN of ∼225 K. Reversal of magnetization is observed in temperature dependence of magnetization measured in field cooled mode under external fields upto 500 Oe. In the field dependence of magnetization below TN, a small hysteresis is observed with the magnetic anisotropy continuously increasing with lowering of temperature. Estimated values of Cr3+ moments, internal field due to sub-lattice of canted ordered Cr3+ and the paramagnetic Curie temperature of Gd3+ sub-lattice are found to be smaller than reported for GdCrO3. Compared with Pr substituted analogue La0.5Pr0.5CrO3, Cr3+ moment is about the same but the internal field at the Gd3+ sub-lattice is much smaller.

Graphical abstractM–T curves recorded under different external magnetic fields in (a) FC mode and (b) ZFC mode. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide