Magnetization reversal and Yb3+/Cr3+ spin ordering at low temperature for perovskite YbCrO3 chromites

The temperature dependence of the dc magnetization and the specific heat capacity are systematically investigated for the perovskite YbCrO3 chromites. The results show that there exist two complex sequences of magnetic transitions with the characteristics of magnetization reversal and Yb3+/Cr3+ spin ordering at different temperature, respectively. The antiferromagneticlike transition around T-N=118 K is attributed to the antiferromagnetic ordering of the Cr3+ spins and a negative magnetization, accompanied with a tendency to the plateau below 10 K caused by the Yb3+ ordering. We obtain the Weiss constant of -197.0 K and an effective moment of 5.99 mu(B) for the sum of the free ion values of 4.53 mu(B) for Yb3+ and 3.87 mu(B) for high-spin Cr3+ from the experiments, which shows an antiferromagnetic interaction and the existence of weak canted antiferromagnetic (CAFM) characteristics. Corresponding to the magnetic phase transition in the Cr sublattice, the specific heat capacity under zero fields exhibits a sharp lambda-shape peak near temperature T-N, which is depressed and broadened smoothly with the increase in the magnetic field. And a shoulder-shaped Schottky-type anomaly below 12 K is observed in the specific heat capacity curves. This can be interpreted by accounting for the molecular field approximation by assuming that the induced polarization of the paramagnetic ytterbium ions is opposite to the ferromagnetic moment of the chromium ions. According to the results of the zero fields cooling and the field cooling magnetization, the possible existence of spin ordering for the Yb3+ moments can be predicted. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3457905]