Magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of scandoborate NdSc$_{3}$(BO$_{3}$)$_{4}$

Trigonal single crystals of neodymium scandoborate NdSc$_{3}$(BO$_{3}$)$_{4}$ were grown by the group method from a melt-solution based on bismuth trimolybdate. Its magnetic and magnetoelectric properties have been studied in the temperature range 4.2–300 K and in magnetic fields up to 9 T. Magnetically, it is a paramagnet, the properties of which are determined by the magnetic properties of the Nd$^{3+}$ ion taking into account the Van Vleck paramagnetic correction. The magnitude of the magnetoelectric polarization turned out to be comparable with the previously investigated diluted neodymium alumoborate Nd$_{0.35}$Y$_{0.65}$Al$_{3}$(BO$_{3}$)$_{4}$. This circumstance opens up one more subclass of compounds in which a giant magnetoelectric effect should be observed.