The structural,vibrational,and magnetic properties of well prepared Bi 1 x Y x FeO 3(x=0-0.1) powders are investigated by combining the X-ray diffraction,Raman scattering,differential scanning calorimetry,and magnetometry measurements.A structural symmetric breaking from the rhombohedral R3c to orthorhombic Pnma between x=0.07 and 0.1 is identified from the X-ray and Raman measurements,accompanying a ferroelectric-antiferroelectric phase transition.The remnant magnetization of Bi 0.9 Y 0.1 FeO 3 is about 15 times higher in magnitude compared to the pure BiFeO 3.Such a giant enhancement is suggested to result from the destruction of the spin cycloid accompanied with the structured transition.
