Recent advances of rare earth orthoferrite RFeO3 magneto-optical single crystals.

• Recent advances for the growth of rare earth orthoferrites RFeO 3 single crystals are summarized. • The strategies for the modulation of magnetic and magneto-optical properties are analyzed. • Ongoing prospects for RFeO 3 single crystals are proposed. Currently, rare earth orthoferrites RFeO 3 crystals are gaining tremendous interests, thanks to their exotic magnetic, multiferroic and magneto-optical characteristics. This family displays distinctive advantages of ultrafast response in nanoseconds and much enhanced sensitivity for magneto-optical (MO) switches and isolators. Moreover, enriched magnetic transitions and ultrafast opto-magnetic modulation have been rationally achieved, favoring ultrafast magnetic recording with much lower energy consumption. This work comprehensively summarizes the recent advances of magneto-optical RFeO 3 single crystals, including the crystal growth, the regulation of magnetic properties and the tailoring of opto-magnetic interactions. The related mechanism for the modulation of magneto-optical interactions is also analyzed in details, facilitating deeper insight into the design and further exploration of RFeO 3 crystals for the potential applications in the fields of novel spintronic and ultrafast magneto-optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]