Abstract
A laser induced magnetization of ErCrO3 in antiferrornagnetic and weak-ferromagnetic states is observed at temperatures below 77 K by selectively exciting the Cr3+ ions with a Q-switched ruby laser light. Dependences of such a magnetization in the c crystallographic direction on the magnetic field and the temperature were measured with a pick-up coil. Two mechanisms contribute to the induction of the magnetization by the laser irradiation. One is a thermal effect and the other an effect due to to the change of spin states accompanied by the optical transitions.
