Antiferromagnetic states of BiFeO3 single crystal multiferroic in external magnetic field

Room-temperature multiferroics take special attention due to possibilities for applications in technology, but they are also interesting from fundamental point of view. Bismuth ferrite is the most studied multiferroic demonstrating high ordering temperatures and fascinating properties in thin films and could be used as a functional element in magnetoelectric memory. For better utilization of bismuth ferrite in spintronic devices the detailed understanding of its properties is of great importance. In this work we apply the developed thermodynamic model for description of magnetic states and magnetic field driven transformation of magnetic structure of single crystal BiFeO3. Presence of magnetic field may lead to a situation, when the transition from inhomogeneous magnetic state having cycloidal structure into homogeneous state proceeds through emergence of intermediate magnetic state with conical-like structure. Magnetic field transitions emerging under influence of magnetic field should somehow lead to alternation of magnetization. For revealing this influence the magnetization curves were calculated for three directions of magnetic field and the comparison with experimental results was carried out. Good agreement with experimental curves allows us to say, that peculiarities of magnetization curves may be caused by the emergence of intermediate conical state.