Microscopic description of magnetic nonequilibrium phenomena in erbium orthoferrite

A model of nonequilibrium thermodynamics of erbium orthoferrite is presented. The quantum-mechanical effects in arbitrary magnetic fields, related both to the direction of a general quantization axis and an influence of anisotropic exchange interactions on the magnetic structure, spin-reorientation phase transition, spin reversals, and hysteresis, are considered. Based on recent experimental data on temperature-induced spin switching [Phys. Rev. B 105, 094424 (2022)], a possible mechanism for the exchange bias of magnetic hysteresis loops is proposed. The main parameters of the model Hamiltonian are determined, which point out a strongly competitive character of exchange interactions in erbium orthoferrite.

Automated summary

A model of nonequilibrium thermodynamics of erbium orthoferrite is presented, considering the quantum-mechanical effects related to arbitrary magnetic fields and anisotropic exchange interactions. Possible mechanisms for the exchange bias of magnetic hysteresis loops are proposed based on recent experimental data. The competitive character of exchange interactions in erbium orthoferrite is determined.