Crystal Field Parameters and Magnetic Properties Correlations in Rare-earth Orthoferrite HoFeO3.

The crystal structure and magnetic properties investigations of holmium orthoferrite compound HoFeO₃ were performed in temperature range 7–300 K. Obtained XRD data confirm that HoFeO₃ retains the orthorhombic perovskite structure of Pbnm space group. The crystal electric field (CEF) parameters of Ho³⁺ ion subsystem has been revealed numerically on the base of point charge model in the same temperature range. By this set of parameters CEF the splitting of Ho³⁺ energy levels was calculated and their temperature evolution was obtained. Modelling of isothermal magnetization M(H) with obtained set of parameters was carried out. Ho³⁺ single ion anisotropy due to CEF effects was demonstrated. Bulk magnetization evaluated from CEF was compared to experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]