Effects of Ga Substitution in LaFe_1-xGa_xO₃(χ= 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7)

Crystallographic and magnetic properties of ;$LaFe_1-xGa_xO_3$($\chi$= 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7) were studied using XRD and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The crystal structures were found to be orthorhombic and the lattice parameters $\alpha$, b, and c were found to decrease with increasing Ga substitution. M$\ddot{o}$ssbauer spectra were obtained at various absorber temperatures ranging from 20 K to 750 K. The M$\ddot{o}$ssbauer spectra were all sextets below $T_N$ and were all singlets above $T_N$. Asymmetric broadening of the M$\ddot{o}$ssbauer spectral lines at 20 K was explained by the multitude of possible environments for an iron nucleus. As the temperature increases to $T_N$, a systematic line broadening in M$\ddot{o}$ssbauer spectra was observed and interpreted to originate from different temperature dependencies of the magnetic hyperfine fields at various iron sites.