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Polycrystalline Zn 1-x Cr x O (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.09) samples synthesised by solid state reaction technique were sintered at different temperatures following slow step sintering schedule, investigated for optical and magnetic properties using suitable characterisation techniques. Cr 2 O 3 and CrO 2 phases have been detected in the Raman spectra of Zn 1 -x Cr x O samples with x ≥ 0.05. Photoluminescence study indicated improved optical property of the samples compared to undoped ZnO. While low percentage Cr doped samples show diamagnetic behaviour, different types of magnetic orderings are observed in the samples with higher percentage of dopants (x ≥ 0.05) for different sintering temperatures. The spin system and magnetic properties were analysed through Electron Spin Resonance study; g-value of 1.97 indicates Cr in 3+ valence state in ZnO. Presence of both Cr3+ and Cr4+ in ZnO understood to facilitate super exchange interactions to promote room temperature ferromagnetism. ESR study ensures improved magnetic homogeneity through slow step sintering process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have optimized Gd ion substitution in BiFeO 3 (BFO) and observed prominently change in structural, electrical and magnetic behavior of Bi 1+2x Gd 2x/2 Fe 1−2x O 3 ceramics synthesized through slow step sintering schedule. It is observed that with the increase in concentration of Gd (x=0.1), original structure of BFO is transformed from rhombohedral R 3 c space group to orthorhombic Pn 21 a space group. Surprisingly, unit cell volume is drastically contracted (35% for x=0.2) and the sintered specimen showed enhanced room temperature ferromagnetic behavior although the original BFO is normally G-type antiferromagnetic in nature at 643 K. It is expected that intrinsic chemical pressure within the bulk body built by the substitution of Gd in presence of excess bismuth greatly supported through unidirectional movement of electrical dipole moment with in each individual domain as a result of which suppression of leakage current with enhanced dielectric and ferroelectric hysteresis is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]