Surface layer in orthoferrite monocrystals

RFeO3 (R=Y, Tm, Er, Tb, Eu, Sm) crystals have been used in the study of the surface layer deformed as a result of a mechanical treatment; the layer hampers the movement of domain walls and increases their coercivity. The thickness of the layer has been measured and ways of its removal have been developed. The dependencies between the thickness of the removed layer and temperature as well as duration of chemical polishing for plates of YFeO3 and EuFeO3 are given