Tuning of spin reorientation temperature of SmFeO3 by doping of Tm3+ ion: Role of exchange interaction between 4f & 3d electrons

Emergent technologies based on spintronics demand the unprecedented control on magnetic anisotropy. Here we present the control on magnetic anisotropy of SmFeO3 by the means of Tm3+doping at Sm3+site. A series of nano particles of Sm1-xTmxFeO3 (X = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1) orthoferrite have been synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion method and phase purity was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction pattern. The crystallographic information obtained from Rietveld refinement and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the changes in oxygen octahedra with the change in doping percentage of Tm3+ ion in SmFeO3. Temperature dependent dc magnetization measurement implies the tuning of spin reorientation temperature from 480 K to 80 K as a function of Tm3+ ion doping concentration. The room temperature magnetic isotherm confirms the canted antiferromagnetic character of nano particles. Sm0.7Tm0.3FeO3 shows the spin reorientation at room temperature which might be used in room temperature spintronics devices. •Manipulation of spin reorientation temperature of SmFeO3 by doping with Tm3+ ion.•The composition Sm0.7Tm0.3FeO3 shows spin reorientation temperature at room temperature, worth using in spintronics device.•Effect of Tm3+ doping on the structural properties of SmFeO3 orthoferrite.•Effect of exchange interaction between Rare earth (Sm3+ & Tm3+)-4f and Fe3+-3d electrons on spin -reorientation temperature.•Behavior of coercivity of solid-solutions Sm0.7Tm0.3FeO3 with temperature.