Magnetic properties of rare earth HoCrO3 chromites

The temperature dependence of the magnetic properties was systemically studied by dc/ac magnetization and specific heat measurement for heavy rare earth HoCrO3 chromites. The results revealed the existence of complex phase coexistence and competitive magnetic behavior in HoCrO3 chromites. It was found that, in the region of higher temperature above 141.0 K, HoCrO3 behaved as a typical Curie-Weiss paramagnetic (PM). And in the region of low temperature, a novel magnetization behavior was observed with negative magnetization (diamagnetism-like) characteristics under an external field of 100 Oe and M-T curves exhibited two symmetrical branches for field cooling (FC) and zero field cooling (ZFC) modes. This behavior indicated the coexistence of canted antiferromagnetic (CAFM) and weak ferromagnetic (FM) phase. These also exhibited the existence of competition mechanism below characteristic temperature TN1=141.0 K and the magnetic order of Ho ion below 7.5 K. The current complex magnetization might be attributed to the interaction between paramagnetic Ho3+ moments and canted Cr3+ moments.