Multiple sign reversals of the exchange bias field in polycrystalline SmCr_0.9Fe_0.1O₃

We synthesize the perovskite compound SmCr_0.9Fe_0.1O₃ by the sol–gel method and investigate its exchange bias properties through thermomagnetic and isothermal magnetization measurements. The sign reversals of the exchange bias field are observed at the magnetization compensation temperatures 29.6 K and 96.2 K. It is demonstrated that the occurrence of the exchange bias originates from the antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cr-rich and Fe–Cr regions, of which the net magnetization is temperature-dependent. These results imply that there are potential applications in single systems with sign reversals of both magnetization and exchange bias.