Influence of Mn Doping on Ferroelectric-Antiferromagnet BiFeO₃ Thin Films Grown on (LaAlO₃)_0.3(Sr₂AlTaO₆)_0.7 Substrates

We have fabricated phase-pure BiFe 1- x Mn x O 3 ( x =0, 0.05, and 0.2) thin films on (LaAlO 3 ) 0.3 (Sr 2 AlTaO 6 ) 0.7 substrates by pulsed laser deposition technique and examined the Mn substitution effect on the electric and magnetic properties. The undoped BiFeO 3 films exhibited simultaneous ferroelectricity and antiferromagnetism at room temperature, which was consistent with the bulk property. The increase in Mn content resulted in an enhancement in electric conductivity, leading to an increase in spontaneous magnetization at room temperature along with a deterioration in ferroelectricity. Among the three compositions, BiFe 1- x Mn x O 3 ( x =0.05) thin film showed the best multiferroic property exhibiting simultaneous ferroelectricity and weak ferromagnetism.