Low field controllable continuous spin switching in the thulium-ytterbium single crystal

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Magnetism

Background:

• Rare earth orthoferrites exhibit complex magnetic behaviors, including spin reorientation transitions (SRT).
• Understanding these transitions is crucial for developing novel magnetic materials and devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spin reorientation transition (SRT) and spin switching (SSW) phenomena in Tm$_{0.75}$Yb$_{0.25}$FeO$_{3}$ (TYFO) single crystals.
• To explore the influence of low magnetic fields on these magnetic properties.

Main Methods:

• Single crystal growth of Tm$_{0.75}$Yb$_{0.25}$FeO$_{3}$.
• Magnetic property measurements, including temperature-dependent magnetization and response to external magnetic fields.

Main Results:

• Observed SRT from $\Gamma_2$ to $\Gamma_4$ phases between 20-27 K.
• Reported low-field controllable continuous spin switching (SSW) along the c-axis at ~98 K, driven by Tm$^{3+}$ moment reversal.
• Discovered unprecedented continuous SSW along the a-axis at 2-20 K, tunable with low magnetic fields.

Conclusions:

• The SRT and SSW in TYFO single crystals originate from rare earth-iron ion interactions.
• These phenomena can be effectively controlled by low magnetic fields, highlighting TYFO as a promising material for low-field spin devices.