Visual investigation of the intermediate state in the region of metamagnetic phase transition in ErFeO3

We carried out the first observation of the intermediate state (IS) in the region of metamagnetic phase transition (MPT) in ErFeO3: an external magnetic field H∥c (H=0-4 kOe), the temperature range 2.15-1.6 K. The ranges of the IS existence and the domain structure (DS) features were determined. Likely mechanisms of the IS thermodynamic stabilization and conditions for its visualization in ErFeO3-plates with various crystallographic orientations were analyzed. The thermodynamic model of IS was offered: the intermediate state was stabilized by the mechanical stress that accompanies MPT. Excellent agreement with experiment was achieved.