Simple Realistic Model of Spin Reorientation in 4f-3d Compounds

Abstract

This is a simple but realistic microscopic theory of spontaneous spin reorientation in rare-earth perovskites, orthoferrites RFeO3 and orthochromites RCrO3, induced by the 4f-3d interaction, namely, the interaction of the well-isolated ground-state Kramers doublet or non-Kramers quasi-doublet of the 4f ion with an effective magnetic field induced by 3d sublattice. Both the temperature and the nature of the spin-reorientation transition are the result of competition between the second-and fourth-order spin anisotropy of the 3d sublattice, the crystal field for 4f ions, and 4f-3d interaction. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.