Magnetic properties of rare earth iron borates: Spectroscopic investigation by the method of rare earth probe
The magnetic phase transitions and magnetic structures in RFe3(BO3)4 (R = Y, Gd-Er) iron borates have been investigated by the method of erbium spectroscopic probe. The magnetic ordering temperatures have been determined. On the basis of the comparison of the character of splitting of the spectral lines of the probe Er3+ ion in RFe3(BO3)4(R = Y, Dy-Er) iron borates and in GdFe3(BO3)4, a complicated whose magnetic structure is known, a conclusion is drawn about the orientation of the magnetic moments of iron: in dysprosium and terbium iron borates, an easy-axis magnetic structure is implemented, whereas an easy-plane structure occurs in holmium, erbium, and yttrium iron borates.