Magnetic ordering of rare earth ions and magnetic-electric interaction of hexagonal RMnO3 (R=Ho, Er, Yb or Lu)

From magnetic, dielectric and magnetoelectric measurement, it is concluded that hexagonal HoMnO3, ErMnO3 and YbMnO3 undergo a magnetic phase transition at a low temperature where a magnetic long-range order of rare earth ions is established. Possible magnetic structures are estimated from the experimental results and symmetry consideration. This low-temperature phase transforms successively into possibly two different phases in magnetic field, The higher-field phase is considered to have a ferrimagnetic arrangement of the rare earth magnetic moments.