Non-collinear magnetic ordering in the perovskite compound YFe1/4Cr3/4O3

The polycrystalline compound YFe0.25Cr0.75O3, prepared by solid reaction in air exhibits the perovskite structure with orthorhombic deformation. Its space group is Pbnm. High temperature d.c, magnetic susceptibility and magnetization studies have been carried out. The measurements revealed non-collinear magnetic behaviour. The occurrence of hysteresis loops and compensation effects suggests ferrimagnetic arrangements. The results are explained qualitatively assuming the presence of two uncompensated weak ferromagnets. The zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) magnetization curves merge at a temperature well above the Neel's one. This suggests the occurrence of short-range magnetic order, which is induced by frustration effects. The frustration in this case results from the structural disorder due to the random distribution of the magnetic ions in the octahedral sites of the lattice. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.