Magnetization reversal and tunable exchange bias in GdCr1−xMnxO3 (x=0−0.50)

Single phase samples of GdCr1-xMnxO3 (x=0−0.50) were prepared and their magnetic properties were studied by measuring temperature and field variations of magnetization. The Neel temperature, TN is found to decrease from TN=174 K for x=0 to 91 K for x=0.50. The magnetization reversal persists upto 5 at% of Mn substitution with a magnetic compensation temperature, Tcomp of 136 K and 139 K for x=0 and 0.05 respectively. However, spin reorientation induced magnetization reversal emerges for x=0.40 and 0.50 samples around 30 K. Tunable positive and negative exchange bias fields in the range of −1.0 kOe to +1.6 kOe have been observed. The origin of magnetization reversal and exchange bias field is explained in terms of antiparallel alignment of canted ferromagnetic component of Cr3+ ions and the paramagnetic moments of Gd3+ and Mn3+ ions under the influence of negative internal field due to antiferromagnetically ordered Cr3+ ions.