Magnetic properties of single crystalline YbFe2O4

We have investigated the magnetic properties of a single crystal of multiferroic YbFe2O4. Ferrimagnetic ordering of Fe spins is observed at ~250 K. The magnetization measured during field cooling becomes negative below ~10 K owing to the antiparallel coupling between the Fe and Yb sublattices. The magnetization below ~10 K is flipped by changing the applied magnetic field in a positive direction, a property which may be used to the development of magnetic devices. Magnetocaloric measurements show a broad peak of the entropy change, likely owing to a multiple magnetic transition.