Unraveling the role of Sm <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>4</mml:mn><mml:mi>f</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math> electrons in the magnetism of <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi>SmFeO</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mn>3</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:math>

Abstract

Magnetic rare-earth orthoferrite perovskites ($R$FeO${}_{3})$ host a variety of functional properties particularly suitable for next-generation, ultrafast spintronic devices. A key ingredient is the complex magnetic interaction at play between the two magnetic substructures. SmFeO${}_{3}$ has attracted particular interest because of its high-temperature spin reorientation transition and anomalous temperature-dependent lattice vibrational modes. Through first-principles calculations, the authors unveil here the interplay of the Sm-Fe exchange with the strong Sm $f$ anisotropy as the dominant microscopic mechanism, and the nature of the anomalous vibrations.

Topics & Concepts