  The novel field-induced re-entrant phase in multiferroic hexagonal HoMnO3 is
investigated to lower temperatures by dc magnetization, ac susceptibility, and
specific heat measurements at various magnetic fields. Two new phases have been
unambiguously identified below the Neel transition temperature, TN=76 K, for
magnetic fields up to 50 kOe. The existence of an intermediate phase between
the P[6]_3[c]m and P[6]_3c[m] magnetic structures (previously predicted from
dielectric measurements) was confirmed and the magnetic properties of this
phase have been investigated. At low temperatures (T<5 K) a dome shaped phase
boundary characterized by a magnetization jump and a narrow heat capacity peak
was detected between the magnetic fields of 5 kOe and 18 kOe. The transition
across this phase boundary is of first order and the magnetization and entropy
jumps obey the magnetic analogue of the Clausius-Clapeyron relation. Four of
the five low-temperature phases coexist at a tetracritical point at 2 K and 18
kOe. The complex magnetic phase diagram so derived provides an informative
basis for unraveling the underlying driving forces for the occurrence of the
various phases and the coupling between the different orders.
