Abstract. The orthorhombic perovskite, (La_1−x/2Bi_x/2)(Fe_0.5Cr_0.5)O₃ was investigated for 0≤x≤1. Its space group, Pnma, compatible with the disordering of iron and chromium in the B sites, confirms previous observations. More importantly this compound is found to be an uncompensated weak ferromagnet, with a very peculiar zero magnetization behaviour, generally observed for ordered magnetic cations in the B sites. It exhibits a magnetic transition at high temperature (T_C) above 450 K, while the zero magnetization occurs between 100 and 160 K depending on the x-value. The AC magnetic susceptibility study shows that this compound does not exhibit a spin glass or cluster glass behaviour, in contrast to what was suggested for the x = 0 compound. This zero magnetization phenomenon can be interpreted by the fact that this perovskite is an uncompensated weak ferromagnet, which consists of canted weak ferromagnetic domains and clusters of pure chromium and pure iron composition, antiferromagnetically coupled through Cr–O–Fe interactions.

Print publication: Issue 48 (2 December 2009)
Received 15 July 2009, in final form 8 October 2009
Published 30 October 2009