Spin reorientation in antiferromagnetic DyFeCoO double perovskite.

We explored the electronic and magnetic properties of the lanthanide double perovskite DyFeCoO by combining magnetization, Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopy and neutron diffraction along with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our magnetization measurements revealed two magnetic phase transitions in DyFeCoO. First, a paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition at T = 248 K and subsequently, a spin reorientation transition at T = 86 K. In addition, a field-induced magnetic phase transition with a critical field of H ≈ 20 kOe is seen at 2 K. Neutron diffraction data suggested cation-disordered orthorhombic structure for DyFeCoO in Pnma space group which is supported by Raman scattering results. The magnetic structures ascertained through representational analysis indicate that at T , a paramagnetic state is transformed to Γ(Cx, Fy, Az) antiferromagnetic structure while, at T , Fe/Co moments undergo a spin reorientation to Γ(Gx, Ay, Fz). The refined magnetic moment of (Fe/Co) is 1.47(4) μ at 7 K. The antiferromagnetic structure found experimentally is supported through the DFT calculations which predict an insulating electronic state in DyFeCoO.