Long range antiferromagnetic order of formally non-magnetic Eu${}^{3+}$ Van Vleck ions observed in multiferroic Eu${}_{1-x}$Y${}_x$MnO${}_3$

Abstract

We report on resonant magnetic x-ray scattering and absorption spectroscopy studies of exchange-coupled antiferromagnetic ordering of Eu${}^{3+}$ magnetic moments in multiferroic Eu${}_{1-x}$Y${}_x$MnO${}_3$ in the absence of an external magnetic field. The observed resonant spectrum is characteristic of a magnetically ordered ${}^7{F}_1$ state that mirrors the Mn magnetic ordering, due to exchange coupling between the Eu $4f$ and Mn $3d$ spins. This is the first observation of long range magnetic order generated by exchange coupling of magnetic moments of formally non-magnetic Van Vleck ions, which is a step further towards the realization of exotic phases induced by exchange coupling in systems entirely composed of non-magnetic ions.

5 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Physical Review B: Rapid Communications

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