Modification of the multiferroic properties of Y CrO3 and LuCrO3 by Mn substitution

The effect of Mn substitution on the multiferroic properties of Y CrO3 and LuCrO3 has been investigated. Solid solutions of the type Y Cr1−x Mn x O3 and LuCr1−x Mn x O3 ( x = 0.0 – 0.3 ) possess orthorhombic structures with Pnma and Pbnm space groups respectively. Both the series of materials show canted antiferromagnetic behavior with T N decreasing with increasing x . They also exhibit ferroelectricity with the transition temperature decreasing with increases in x . The x = 0.3 compositions show improved magnetic properties with a ferroelectric transition in the 418–425 K range.