Thermal control magnetic switching dominated by spin reorientation transition in Mn-doped PrFeO3 single crystals

Abstract

Spin reorientation transition (SRT) has attracted substantial attention due to its important role in the ultrafast control of spins. However, the transition temperature is usually too low for its practical applications. Here, we demonstrate the ability to modulate the SRT temperature in PrFe1−xMnxO3 single crystals from 196 K to 317 K across the room temperature by varying the Mn concentration. Interestingly, the Γ4 to Γ1 spin reorientation of the Mn-doped PrFeO3 is distinct from the Γ4 to Γ2 spin reorientation transition as in the parent material. Because of the coupling between rare-earth ions and transition-metal ions in determining the SRT temperature, the demonstrated control scheme of spin reorientation transition temperature by Mn-doping is expected to be used in temperature control magnetic switching devices and applicable to many other rare-earth orthoferrites.