Detection of the magnetic and electric transitions by electron paramagnetic resonance and low-field microwave absorption in the magnetoelectric Pb(Fe0.5Ta0.5)O3

An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of Pb(Fe0.5Ta0.5)O3 powder samples in perovskite-type structure at X-band (8.8–9.8 GHz), in the 120–300 K temperature range, is presented. For all the temperatures, the EPR spectra show a single broad line attributable to Fe3+ ions. The onset of the ferro-paraelectric and antiferro-paramagnetic transitions has been determined from the temperature dependence of parameters deduced from the EPR spectra: the peak-to-peak linewidth (ΔHpp), the resonance field (Hres) and the integrated intensity (IEPR). Low-field microwave absorption (LFMA) is used to give further knowledge on this material; where this technique also gives evidence of the magnetic and electric orders.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ LFMA spectra showed straight lines with positive slope and non-hysteretic traces. ▶ The spectral changes for the plot of the slope vs. temperature give evidence of magnetic and electric orderings, with a very high detection sensibility.