Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter

J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 32 (2020) 035810 (10pp) https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/ab4845

Structural, optical and magnetic properties

of Sm3+ doped yttrium orthoferrite (YFeO3)
obtained by sol–gel synthesis route
P S J Bharadwaj1, Swarup Kundu1, Vijay Sai Kollipara1
and Kalidindi B R Varma1,2
1
  Department of Physics, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Vidyagiri, Prasanthi Nilayam,
Andhra Pradesh, India
2
  Materials Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India

E-mail: kvijaysai@sssihl.edu.in

Received 19 July 2019, revised 13 September 2019

Accepted for publication 26 September 2019
Published 23 October 2019

Abstract
Fine powders of Y1−xSmxFeO3 (x  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) were synthesized via citrate based
sol–gel route. While the as synthesized powders were amorphous, the calcined (900 °C/8 h)
powders were confirmed to be polycrystalline by x-ray powder diffraction (XRD) studies. The
calcined powders were found to crystallize in an orthorhombic structure associated with the
lattice parameters a  =  5.59 Å, b  =  7.60 Å, c  =  5.28 Å. These lattice parameters increased with
the increase in Sm3+ content at yttrium sites. The strain that was obtained by the Williamson–
Hall method increased with the increase in dopant (Sm3+) concentration vis-à-vis a decrease in
crystallite size. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopic studies suggest an increase in band gap as Sm
doping level increased. Significant enhancement in magnetization associated with a decrease
in coercive field accompanied by a transition from anti-ferromagnetic to soft ferromagnetic
behaviour in Sm doped YFeO3 were encountered. It is hoped that these materials with the
enhanced magnetic properties could be of potential use for multifarious applications.

Keywords: rare-earth orthoferrites, multiferroics, photoluminescence, superexchange

interaction

(Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)

Introduction canting of Fe3+ moments, as Y3+ being diamagnetic, cannot

Multifunctional rare-earth orthoferrites (RFeO3, where
R  =  Nd3+, Gd3+, Sm3+ etc) were extensively studied, pri-
marily owing to a variety of physical properties that they
exhibit. These qualify orthoferrites for multifarious applica-
tions that include capacitors, memory devices, magneto-elec-
tric sensors in transducers, spintronic devices and microwave
electronic devices [1–4].
YFeO3 has a perovskite structure belonging to the generic
formula ABO3. The Y3+ cations (A-site) occupy the body
centre which co-ordinate with 12 oxygen anions. Fe3+ cat-
ions (B-site), occupy the corner positions of the cube and co-
ordinate with the six oxygens, as an octahedron [5]. YFeO3
exhibits its net magnetization, originating entirely from the
contribute to the magnetization [6]. Further, the magnetic
properties of the material are characterized by the extent of
the octahedral tilting of FeO6 [7, 8]. YFeO3 is reported to pos-
sess moderately high resistivity (109 Ω m) and also, a very
high Neel temperature (TN  =  645 K) [9, 10]. YFeO3 possess
an orthorhombic structure associated with slight distortion,
where the FeO6 octahedron is tilted towards Y3+ ion at the
centre while maintaining the Y3+–O2− bonding. The unit
lattice structure of YFeO3 is depicted in figure  1 employing
VESTA software.
Earlier studies demonstrate that the introduction of magn­
etic or non-magnetic ions can effectively tweak the structural
and physical properties of rare-earth orthoferrites [11–13]. To
the best of our knowledge, sufficient attention was not paid to

1361-648X/ 20 /035810+10$33.00 1 © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd  Printed in the UK

J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 32 (2020) 035810
Figure 1.  Crystal structure of YFeO3.
the magnetic-ion substitution at Y-site in YFeO3. It was felt
that the introduction of magnetic Sm3+ ion at diamagnetic Y3+
site in YFeO3 may cause crystal structure distortion as Sm3+
ionic radius is slightly larger than that of Y3+ and in turn influ-
ence its physical properties.
The synthesis of YFeO3 was undertaken using several
routes including solid-state, hydrothermal, microwave, polyol
and sol–gel citrate methods [7, 14–17]. The wet chemical syn-
thesis enables the control of the stoichiometry, particle size
and homogeneity, albeit with the disadvantages of long reac-
tion time and expensive solvent medium.
In this article, we present our findings pertaining to the
effect of Samarium (Sm3+) doping on the structural, optical
and magnetic properties of an antiferromagnetic polycrystal-
line YFeO3.
Materials and methods
Sol-gel technique was used for synthesizing fine powders of
Y1−xSmxFeO3(X  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15). For this, the precursors
used were Y2O3 (AR grade, purity  >  99%), Fe(NO3)3·9H2O
(AR grade, purity   >  98%) and Sm2O3 (Sigma-Aldrich,
purity  >  99%).
Y2O3 and Fe(NO3)3·9H2O were dissolved in de-ionized
water as per the stoichiometric requirements. Sm2O3 was
separately dissolved in dilute nitric acid. These two separate
solutions were mixed under vigorous stirring using a magn­
etic stirrer. Citric acid which acts as chelating agent was
added in the molar ratio of 1:1 with respect to the inorganics
to enhance the complex formation of metal ions and to pro-
mote the polymerization of the mixture. After the addition of
citric acid, the solution was continuously stirred for 30 min,
to which ammonia solution (25%) was added drop-wise to
maintain the optimum pH level of 7–8. This solution was vig-
orously stirred at room temperature for 3–4 h. Subsequently, it
was heated for 12 h at 120 °C to obtain the gel. Thus formed
gel was heated to 280 °C, which caused combustion of excess
citrate to yield brown residue. This was finely ground and cal-
cined at 900 °C for 8 h to obtain polycrystalline powders of
2
P S J Bharadwaj et al
Figure 2.  Schematic for the synthesis of Y1−xSmxFeO3 (X  =  0,
0.05, 0.10, 0.15) polycrystalline powders by citrate based sol–gel
synthesis route.
Y1−xSmxFeO3 (X  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15). The process of this
citrate based sol–gel synthesis of these phases is schemati-
cally illustrated in figure 2.
Characterization
The crystallographic information for all the calcined samples
was obtained using x-ray powder Diffractometer (X-pert
Pro, Panalytical) with Cu-Kα  =  1.5408 Å. The average
crystallite size and lattice strain as a function of dopant
concentration were calculated using Scherrer formula and
Williamson–Hall plot respectively. The stability of the phase
was confirmed by invoking Goldschmidt tolerance factor.
The Raman spectra were recorded for the powder samples
using Raman microscope, Thermo Scientific (laser excitation
source λ  =  780 nm). The FTIR studies were carried out on
powder samples of all the compositions under study using
FTIR spectrometer (Cary 630, Agilent).The microstructure
associated with elemental analysis studies were carried out
using scanning electron microscope (SEM), Jeol IT300. The
optical studies in the wavelength range of 200–800 nm were
done using UV–vis (Perkin-Elmer) spectrophotometer. The
photoluminescence studies were carried out using photolumi-
nescence spectrometer (Perkin Elmer LS 55). VSM (Model
EZ9, MicroSense, USA) was employed to study the magn­
etic properties at room temperature for all the synthesized
powders.
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 32 (2020) 035810 P S J Bharadwaj et al

Figure 3.  (a) XRD Patterns recorded for Y1−xSmxFeO3 (X  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15). (b) Shift in the peak positions.

Table 1.  Refinement and Lattice parameters Y1−xSmxFeO3(X  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15).

Y1−xSmxFeO3 Rwp (%) RP (%) GOF(χ2) a (Å) b (Å) c (Å)

X  =  0.00 5.64 4.43 1.20 5.588 7.600 5.278

X  =  0.05 4.93 3.83 1.05 5.593 7.607 5.285
X  =  0.10 5.12 4.00 1.03 5.595 7.613 5.291
X  =  0.15 5.26 4.11 1.01 5.596 7.618 5.297

Results and discussion Table 2.  Goldschmidt tolerance factor, crystallite size, lattice strain
as function of Y1−xSmxFeO3 (X  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15).
The x-ray diffractograms obtained in the 2θ range of 20°–60° Tolerance Crystallite Lattice
for all the samples calcined at 900 °C/8 h, confirmed to be Y1−xSmxFeO3 factor size (nm) strain
monophasic (figure 3) with no detectable impurity phases.
X  =  0 0.8516 176.4 0.183
However, there was a considerable shift of x-ray peak posi-
tions towards lower angles (at 2θ  =  33.2°) on increasing X  =  0.05 0.8529 133.7 0.210
the Sm3+ content in YFeO3 implying an increase in lattice X  =  0.10 0.8565 120.8 0.460
parameters. X  =  0.15 0.8560 106.3 0.488
The lattice parameter data along with refinement are illus-
trated in table 1. The increase in lattice parameters a, b and c
is ascribed to the larger ionic radius of Sm3+ (1.24 Å) than that Kλ
L= .
of Y3+ (1.06 Å) [18]. βCosθ
The x-ray diffraction peaks of all the compositions in the The stability of orthorhombic phase was calculated using
present investigation could be indexed to the bulk YFeO3 Goldschmidth tolerance factor [19],
(ICSD 98-008-0866) associated with orthorhombic crystal
Ra + Rb
structure with ‘Pmna’ space group of the point group ‘mmm’. T=√ .
Scherrer formula given below was used to calculate the 2(Rb + RO )
average crystallite size. Here L is average crystallite size, K is Where Ra is radius of A-site ion, Rb is radius of B-site ion, and
shape factor, λ is wavelength of the x-ray used, β is the value Ro is radius of O in ABO3 perovskite structure. The typical
of full width at half maximum (FWHM) and θ is the Bragg value for stable orthorhombic phase is 0.8 to 1 [20]. We have
angle. found the Goldschmidth tolerance factor for Y1−XSmxFeO3 to

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J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 32 (2020) 035810
Figure 4.  Rietveld refined XRD Patterns for Y1−xSmxFeO3 (a) x  =  0, (b) 0.05, (c) 0.10, (d) 0.15.
be around 0.85 for different concentrations of Sm there by
confirming the stability of the orthorhombic phase for dif-
ferent levels of doping. The crystallite sizes along with lattice
strain and tolerance factors obtained for the samples ranging
from x  =  0–0.15 are depicted in table 2. The average crystal-
lite size decreases with the increase in dopant concentration
while strain increases.
The lattice strain was calculated using the Williamson–
Hall plot and the observations are summarized in table 2. An
increase in lattice strain was observed with the increase of
dopant (Sm3+) concentration at Y3+ site in YFeO3.
The lattice parameters were obtained by rietveld refinement
using High score plus software. The refined plots are captured
in figure 4 depicting the experimental data as open circles and
calculated intensities as solid lines. The vertical lines at the
bottom are the allowed Bragg positions for Pmna space group.
The solid line in figure  4 represents the difference between
measured and calculated intensities. In the refinement pro-
cess, we have taken oxygen positions as free parameters. The
other atomic positions were considered to be fixed. The other
parameters like lattice constants, shape parameters, scale fac-
tors, isothermal parameters and occupancies were taken to
be fixed. The pseudo-voigt function has been used to correct
the background. The values of Rwp, weighted profile residual
factor which takes background into consideration, Rp, profile
4
P S J Bharadwaj et al
residual factor without considering the background and GOF
(Goodness of Fit, χ2) which is the measure of (Rwp)2/(Rp)2
were found to be low, which suggest the goodness of refine-
ment. The corresponding refined lattice parameters are sum-
marised in table 1. There is an increase in lattice parameters
with the increase in dopant concentration with a concomitant
increase in strain.
We have calculated octahedral tilts of FeO6 and Fe–O–Fe
bond angles, as the magnetic properties of orthoferrites are
strongly dependent on these parameters. There were two
bond angles θ1 and θ2 owing to two kinds of Fe–O–Fe super
exchange bonds. The formation of these two super exchange
bonds are attributed to the sharing of O2− ions between two
octahedral structures of FeO6 in YFeO3 orthorhombic crystal
structure.
O’Keefe geometrical approximations [21] were used to
determine the extent of distortion of the FeO6 octahedra in
terms of bond and octahedral tilt angles;
 
 2 − 5cos2 ϕ1 
θ1 = cos−1  
2 + cos2 ϕ1 
 1 − 4cos2 ϕ2 
θ2 = cos −1  .
 3 
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 32 (2020) 035810 P S J Bharadwaj et al

Table 3.  Bond angles Fe–O–Fe (θ1, θ2), Bond lengths (Fe–O) and octahedral tilt angles (ϕ1, ϕ2) of Y1−xSmxFeO3.

Bond angles Tilt angles

Bond length (Å)
Y1−xSmxFeO3 θ1 θ2 ϕ1 ϕ2 (Fe–O)

x  =  0 151.450 137.393 17.307 26.426 1.926

x  =  0.05 144.063 143.637 20.088 22.467 2.045
x  =  0.10 144.0625 143.624 21.663 22.474 2.046
x  =  0.15 144.0605 143.615 21.664 22.480 2.047

Figure 5.  Raman spectra for Y1−xSmxFeO3 (x  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) powders.

Where θ1, θ2 and ϕ1, ϕ2 are bond angles and octahedral tilt
angles respectively.
In order to obtain these bond angles and octahedral tilt
angles we have used crystallographic data obtained from
reitveld refinement and represented in VESTA software. The
values of these bond angles and tilt angles for Y1−xSmxFeO3
are elucidated in table 3 which suggest that there is a change
of tilt angles which cause the distortion in crystal lattice with
increase in Sm3+ doping concentration.
The Raman spectra for Y1−xSmxFeO3 (x  =  0, 0.05, 0.10,
0.15) is presented in the figure 5.The modes assigned to the
samples matches quite well with those reported previously
[22]. The peaks at 149 cm−1 and 180 cm−1 are attributed to
the vibrations of yttrium ion. The peak around 220 cm−1 is
associated with Fe3+ ion vibration. The other relatively low
intense peaks around 281, 340, 430, 498 cm−1 are due to the
excitation of the Fe3+ magnetic ions within the realm of octa­
hedral oxygen [23]. The small systematic shift towards lower
wave numbers, observed with the increase in doping concen- Figure 6.  FT-IR spectra for Y1−xSmxFeO3 (x  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15)
tration of Sm is rationalized using the relation ω ~ (k/M)1/2, powders.
where ω is the frequency, k is the spring constant and M is The microstructural features of all the calcined samples
atomic mass [24]. under investigation were studied using SEM and the data are
The IR spectra of Y1−xSmxFeO3 shown in figure 6 reveal depicted in figure 7. It is observed that there is a reduction in
the characteristic peaks of YFeO3. The peaks assigned around the crystallite size with increasing dopant (Sm3+) concentra-
3435 cm−1 and 1635 cm−1 are assigned to ν (O–H) and δ tion. These results are consistent with those obtained by x-ray
(H–O–H) respectively [25]. The strong peaks located around studies (Scherrer analysis). The crystallite size distributions
575 cm−1 and 485 cm−1 are ascribed to Fe–O stretching vibra- are shown as insets in each micrograph. This decrease in crys-
tion modes in the orthoferrite structure [26]. tallite size by doping samarium(Sm) at A-site is ascribed to

5
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 32 (2020) 035810 P S J Bharadwaj et al

Figure 7.  SEM images of Y1−xSmxFeO3 (X  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15), the histograms in the insets of each micrograph are the corresponding
crystallite size distributions.

Figure 8.  EDS spectra for Y1−xSmxFeO3 (X  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15).

6
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 32 (2020) 035810 P S J Bharadwaj et al

Figure 9.  (a) Absorption spectra for Y1−xSmxFeO3(x  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15). (b) Tauc plot for Y1−xSmxFeO3 (x  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15).

Table 4.  Optical bandgap for differernt Sm3+ contents in YFeO3.

Y1−xSmxFeO3 Band gap (eV)

x  =  0 2.1121
x  =  0.05 2.1328
x  =  0.10 2.1542
x  =  0.15 2.1553

the ionic radii difference between the dopant (Sm3+) and the
host (Y3+) which inhibits the grain boundary mobility due to
the lattice distortion and consequently impede nucleation and
hinder propagation of nucleation and the growth of crystal-
lites. The observed peaks in the EDS (figure 8) spectra are
assigned to Y, Fe, O, and Sm. The mole ratios of Y, Sm, Fe,
O are consistent with the expected stoichiometry within the
experimental errors.
Optical band gap studies
Diffuse reflectance studies carried out for all the synthesized
samples in the wavelength range of 200–800 nm were used
to detemine the band gaps associated with the samples under
study. We have observed a strong transition in the 500–600 nm
range in the absorbance plots, which correspond to electronic
transitions from 2p valence states of oxygen (O) to 3d states of
iron (Fe) conduction band. There is a downward shift (towards
lower wavelength) in the absorption edge with an increase in
Sm3+ in YFeO3(figure 9(a)) implying that there is an increase
in bandgap. The bandgap Eg for Y1−xSmxFeO3(x  =  0, 0.05,
0.10, 0.15) was calculated using the Tauc-plot (Kubelka–
Monk versu Photon energy) and the results are illustrated
in figure  9(b). The bandgap for Y1−xSmxFeO3 (x  =  0) was
calculated to be 2.11 eV and is consistent with that reported
in the literature [27]. The bandgap values for Y1−xSmxFeO3
(x  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) lie in the range of 2.11 eV to 2.15 eV
as depicted in table 4. This increase in bandgap with increase
in Sm content may be attributed to more than one mechanism.
There is an expansion in the lattice vis-à-vis a decrease in
crystallite size as evidenced by our XRD (figure 3) followed
by SEM (figure 7) studies could be one of the reasons. This is
substantiated by a downward shift in the x-ray peaks ((1 2 1),
Figure 10.  PL spectra for Y1−xSmxFeO3 (x  =  0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.
15) samples.
(0 0 2)) suggesting an increase in lattice spacing on increasing
Sm3+ content in YFeO3 lattice. Yet another reason for an
enhancement in the bandgap for the present compound could
be due to the presence of microstrain [28] originating from
slight difference that exists between the ionic sizes of Sm3+
and Y3+ apart from the defect states arising out of prevalence
of oxygen vacancies. These oxygen vacancies lower the adja-
cent Fe 3d levels, which result in sub-bandgap defect states.
The sub-band gap states are likely to lower the overall energy
band gap [29]. Further, the increase in bandgap is attributed to
the change in bond length (Fe–O) and bond angle (Fe–O–Fe)
with Sm3+ doping as these are related to the bandgap (Eg);
Eg = ∆ − W
where Δ is charge transfer energy and W is one-electron
band width which is given by
cos ω
W ∝ 3.5
dFe–O
where ω is 12 [π − (Fe–O–Fe)] and dFe–O
3.5
is Fe–O bond length.
As the Fe–O bond length is found to increase on increasing
Sm3+ content (table 3), one would expect a decrease in W and
hence an increase in Eg [30].

7
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 32 (2020) 035810
Figure 11. M–H loop of Y1−xSmxFeO3 (a) x  =  0.00, (b) 0.05, (c) 0.10, (d) 0.15.
Photoluminiscence (PL) studies
The emission spectra of Y1−xSmxFeO3 (x  =  0, 0.05, 0.10,
0.15) polycrystalline samples have a broad peak around
600 nm when excited at 450 nm, corresponding to photon
energy of 2.7 eV are depicted in figure 10. The emission lines
around 600nm are attributed to yttrium. The oxygen vacan-
cies and defects on the surface of Y1−xSmxFeO3 polycrystal-
line powders make the electrons to bind to form excitons.
The formation of excitons leads to the introduction of exciton
energy level near the bottom of conduction band. Therefore,
higher the oxygen vacancies and defects, stronger will be the
PL spectrum [31]. The reduction in intensity of the emission
peaks at 600 nm was observed with an increase in the dopant
(Sm3+) concentration(x  =  0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15). This can be
ascribed to the decrease of surface oxygen vacancies and
defects with increase in Sm3+ dopant concentration.
Magnetic properties
The origin of magnetic properties in rare-earth ortho-ferrites
is due to super-exchange interaction of Fe3+–Fe3+, R3+–R3+,
R3+–Fe3+ through O2− ion [32]. The M–H hysteresis loop
shown in figure 11(a) suggests the antiferromagnetic behav-
iour of YFeO3. The magnetic interactions between Y3+ and
Fe3+ are absent as Y3+ is diamagnetic as it has fully filled
8
P S J Bharadwaj et al
orbitals and Fe3+ ions have partially filled orbitals. Therefore,
the magnetic properties arise only from Fe3+–Fe3+ interac-
tions. The super exchange interaction is an oxygen mediated
exchange between transition metal ions based on virtual hop-
ping processes of the oxygen 2p electrons. The O2− ions have
fully occupied triple degenerate (2px, 2py, 2pz) orbitals with six
electrons. In Fe3+, the 5d orbitals are not degenerate and they
split as triple degenerate t2g (dxy, dyz, dxz) and doubly degen-
erate eg (dx2 −y2 , dz2 ). These eg orbitals which point along the
crystal axes, overlap with the 2p orbitals of oxygen leading to
the super exchange interaction of Fe3+–Fe3+ through O2− ions
at 180 °C as predicted by the GKA (Goodenough, Kanamori
and Anderson) rules which give the super exchange interac-
tion [33] and the anti-ferromagnetic nature of YFeO3. We have
observed that at room temperature, there was an enhancement
in magnetization with the increase in doping concentration of
Sm, owing to magnetic contribution of Sm which is stronger
than super exchange of Fe–O–Fe as shown in figure  12.
However, the coercive field was noticed to decrease drasti-
cally even with the x  =  0.05 (figure 13), which is attributed
to the influence of Sm3+–Fe3+ interaction on magnetic aniso­
tropy [34].
The linear increase in magnetization was observed with
the increase in doping concentration as shown in figure  13.
One possibility of reduction in antiferromagnetic nature is due
to the unstable hybridization of Y3+ and O2− and Fe3+ and
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 32 (2020) 035810
Figure 12.  Comparison of M–H loops of Y1−xSmxFeO3 (x  =  0.00,
0.05, 0.10, 0.15).
Figure 13.  Magnetization and Coercive field as function of Sm
doping concentration.
O2− as compared to more stable Fe3+–O2−–Fe3+ hybridiza-
tion being formed. The other possibility could be due to the
distortion in crystal structure. With the introduction of Sm
in the crystal lattice, distortion takes place as evident from
an increase in strain (table 2). This distortion consequently
leads to a decrease in Fe3+–O2−–Fe3+ bond angle as evi-
denced from O’Keefe approximation and therefore a reduc-
tion in magnetic super exchange effect. Further, this results in
exchange interaction between Fe3+–O2−–Sm3+ which signifi-
cantly influences the spin re-orientation of Fe3+ ions leading
to weak-ferromagnetic behaviour. In addition, owing to the
Dzyaloshinsky–Moriya anti-symmetric exchange, the magn­
etic moments are not completely anti-parallel and they are
slightly canted with a small angle, resulting in a weak fer-
romagnetic behaviour [35–37]. Though it is weak, these mat­
erials may be exploited for various applications that include
magnetic shielding, power supply transformers, DC–DC
converters, electrical to mechanical power converters, signal
9
P S J Bharadwaj et al
transfer, magnetic field screening, electric motors, electro-
magnetic pole-pieces etc [38].
Conclusions
Samarium doped yttrium orthoferrite Y1−xSmxFeO3 (x  =  0,
x  =  0.05, x  =  0.10, x  =  0.15) powders were successfully syn-
thesized using the sol–gel technique. The synthesized ceramic
powders were demonstrated to possess orthorhombic crystal
structure. The value obtained for Goldschmidt tolerance factor
confirms the phase stability. A slight increase in optical band
gap was observed with an increase in dopant (Sm3+) concen-
tration. The obtained magnetization versus magnetic field
hysteresis loops at room temperature stipulate that there is
a transition from antiferromagnetic to a soft ferromagnetic
behaviour in Sm doped YFeO3 polycrystalline powders.
Acknowledgments
The Authors dedicate the work to the founder chancellor
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, and thank the Sri Sathya Sai
Central Trust for providing characterization facilities at Cen-
tral Research Instruments Facility (SSSIHL-CRIF).
ORCID iDs
Vijay Sai Kollipara https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3674-0011
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