High magnetic field investigations of the magnetoelectric effect in magnetic ferroelectrics (RBi)FeO3

Abstract The field induced transition from the space modulated spin structures to the homogeneous antiferro-magnetic state in magnetic ferroelectrics R x Bi1–x FeO3 (R = La3+, Nd3+, Dy3+) was investigated. It has been established that space modulated spin structures (SMSS) exists in compounds: with La up to concentration x = 0.6; with Nd up to x = 0,1 and Dy up to x = 0.1. For all investigated compounds the polarization curves have linear dependence upon the field above Hcr . The critical field decreases with increase of concentration x and magnetic moment of the R ions. Coexistence of weak ferromagnetic moment and SMSS was observed on the compound La x Bi1–x FeO3 at x ⩾ 0,1.