Spin reorientation, negative magnetization and magnetocaloric effect in Nd0.5Dy0.5CrO3

The magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the substituted rare-earth orthochromite Nd0.5Dy0.5CrO3 (NDCO) have been investigated in a comprehensive manner. The magnetization measurements indicate that the Cr3+ magnetic moments order in an antiferromagnetic configuration below 180 K (T-N). Further, a clear signature of spin reorientation of Cr3+ moments is observed around 60 K (T-SR) along with the negative magnetization (magnetization reversal) below 5 K. Magnetic entropy change (-Delta S-M) values have been estimated below 60 K, as well as near the ordering temperature of the Cr3+ sublattice (180 K). The maximum value of -Delta S-M (-Delta S-M(max)), associated with the polarization of rare-earth magnetic moments, has been estimated to be 8.71 J kg(-1) K-1 at 7.3 K and 10 T. The -Delta S-M values have also been calculated from the mean field approximation and Monte Carlo simulation using an Ising type spin Hamiltonian for magnetic fields 1 T and 5 T. The theoretically calculated values matches with the experimentally obtained values.