(1) Structure and magnetic hysteretic behavior of Bi_0.9M_0.05Y_0.05FeO₃
(M = Sm, Gd) multiferroic compounds

Abstract :

^{The multiferroic compounds Bi0.9Sm0.05Y0.05FeO3 and Bi0.9Gd0.05Y0.05FeO3 were prepared by the conventional ceramic method and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.}

^{The compounds were found to have the rhombohedral perovskite-like structure, accompanied by the existence of small amounts of Bi2Fe4O9 and Bi24Fe2O39 impurity phases.}

^{The soft ferromagnetic behavior observed in these compounds is thought to arise from a minor impurity magnetic phase. The Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed the mode characteristic of Fe-O stretching vibrations.}