Tailoring magnetic orders in (LaFeO3)n-(LaCrO3)n superlattices model

Magnetic orders in (LaFeO3)(n)-(LaCrO3)(n) superlattices and in the corresponding LaFe0.5Cr0.5O3 are studied by Monte Carlo simulations. Because of the different exchange couplings of Fe-O-Fe, Cr-O-Cr, and Fe-O-Cr, the superlattices show nontrivial magnetic modulations with the stack periods. Our simulations not only reproduce the experimental observation of strong ferromagnetism in the n = 1 superlattice, but also predict other complex antiferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic orders in thicker cases. The possible chemical phase separation in LaFe0.5Cr0.5O3 bulk is also revealed in our simulation. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3631787]