investigation of high-energy Sm3+ crystal-field excitations and potential Kramers-Driven 3d-4f complex spin dynamics in canted ferrochromite SmFe0.5Cr0.5O3

We propose a high-energy inelastic neutron scattering (INS) study of SmFe0.5Cr0.5O3 (SFCO) over 5 300 K using the MAPS TOF spectrometer to map the Sm3+ crystal-field (CF) excitations and higher CF/ potential hybridized 3d-4f excitations. Half-doped Rare-earth ferrochromites (RFe0.5Cr0.5O3) with B-site cation disorder leads to competing exchange pathways Fe3+/Cr3+ - O Fe3+/Cr3+, while localized R3+ moments contribute to crystal-field effects resulting in complex spin dynamics. Magnetization investigations on phase-pure SFCO reveal canted antiferromagnetic order near 270 K, and a broad SR regime at 120 200 K, with corresponding dielectric anomalies, suggesting the magneto-dielectric coupling. The reversibility of FCC-FCW cycles down to the 10 K temperature, hints towards (Gz, Fx) and/or (Gx, Fz) spin configurations. Importantly, heat capacity measurements show a Schottky anomaly, and its field-induced modification indicates discrete Sm3+ CF levels. Therefore, to capture the low- to high energy Sm3+ CF-excitations and to extract the 3d-4f exchange, we will perform INS measurements from 20 - 500 meV utilizing a hollow concentric Aluminium cylinder to minimize neutron absorption effects. These measurements will directly provide microscopic understanding of complex spin dynamics and role of Kramers ion nature in 3d-4f coupling.