Single antiferromagnetic axis of Fe in orthorhombic YMn0.5Fe0.5O3 films observed by x-ray magnetic linear dichroism

Abstract The electronic and magnetic structure of orthorhombic ( o- ) YMn 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 (YMFO) epitaxial film (space group Pbnm ) deposited on the YAlO 3 (010) substrate have been investigated using linear polarization-dependent x-ray absorption spectroscopy and magnetization measurements. The magnetic-ordering temperature of around 280 K is observed in o -YMFO film. The x-ray absorption spectra at the Fe- K and the Mn- K edges indicate the existence of anisotropic crystal field in o -YMFO film, with the longest and shortest Fe–O and Mn–O bonds tend to align with the crystallographic b - and a -axis, respectively, whereas the medium Fe(Mn)–O bond is aligned with the c -axis. The experimental x-ray magnetic linear dichroism at the Fe- L 2 edges demonstrate an unusual single antiferromagnetic axis of Fe 3+ ions below magnetic-ordering temperature, while a multi antiferromagnetic axis is generally observed in o-R FeO 3 ( R  = rare earth) thin films. Our configuration-interaction cluster calculations also reveal that the single antiferromagnetic axis of the Fe sublattice is aligned with the b -axis in o -YMFO film, whereas it is directed along the a -axis in the bulk o -YFeO 3 .