Two fold spin reorientation and field induced phase transition in Ho0.5Dy0.5FeO3 single crystal

Magnetic measurements on oriented single crystals of Ho0.5Dy0.5FeO3 grown using optical floating zone furnace provide evidence for two spin reorientations of Fe3+ magnetic sublattice viz.,Γ4→Γ1→Γ2 at temperatures TSR1=49K and TSR2=26K. As magnetic field along c axis increases, the sample resumes Γ4 spin configuration and a large field is likely to disrupt the spin reorientation process. It is evident from isothermal magnetization along c axis that field induced Γ1→Γ4 transition is feasible within the intermediate temperature range of TSR1-TSR2 and can be triggered at a critical field. Such magnetic behavior is better understood as a consequence of anisotropic effective field, modified by the application of external magnetic field.