Element-specific magnetic hysteresis loops observed in hexagonal ErFeO3 thin films

Abstract We investigated the magnetic properties of multiferroic hexagonal ErFeO 3 thin films by using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy. In order to reveal the element-specific magnetic properties, temperature-dependent XMCD experiments were conducted at the Fe L 2,3 and Er M 4,5 -edges. Apparent magnetic hysteresis loops appear for both ions below the Néel temperature, which suggests the existence of ferromagnetism. The temperature evolutions of the coercive field and spontaneous magnetization for both ions show similar behavior. These results indicate that Fe ions influence the magnetism of Er ions. Our results deepen the understanding of the physical properties of hexagonal rare-earth ferrite system.