Observation of exchange bias effect in La2NiIrO6

Abstract

Iridium (Ir) based double perovskites La2BIrO6, combining 3d and 5d transition metal ions feature a variety of exotic magnetic and magneto-electric properties. Here, we report for the first time, the exchange bias effect in an iridium (Ir) based double perovskite system due to the Dzyaloshinsky – Moria interaction. La2NiIrO6, a mixed 3d – 5d and compensated antiferromagnetic (AFM, AFM transition temperature, TN ∼ 70 K) double perovskite compound exhibits the exchange bias effect below 50 K, when it is cooled in the presence of a magnetic field. Detailed magnetization measurements indicate that the exchange bias properties in this compound are associated with the antisymmetric Dzyaloshinsky – Moria interactions, which originate due to the very low crystallographic symmetry in these system types.