Magnetic control of ferroelectric polarization

Magnetic origin of giant magnetoelectricity in doped Y-type hexaferrite Ba(0.5)Sr(1.5)Zn(2)(Fe(1-x)Al(x))(12)O(22)

We investigated site-specific magnetic behaviors of multiferroic Ba(0.5)Sr(1.5)Zn(2)(Fe(1-x)Al(x))(12)O(22) using Fe L(2,3)-edge x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. The Al dopants mostly replace the Fe(3+) ions at octahedral (O(h)) sites, which contribute unquenched angular momenta through off-centering displacements. This replacement greatly reduces the magnetic anisotropy energy to change the magnetic order from a helical to a heliconical type with enhanced magnetoelectric susceptibility (α(ME)). The tetrahedral (T(d)) Fe sites exhibit magnetic hysteresis distinguishable from that of the O(h) sites, especially at low magnetic fields. These results provide essential clues for the heliconical order with a giant α(ME) and multibit memory effects in the Al-doped Y-type hexaferrite.

Local manifestations of a static magnetoelectric effect in nanostructured BaTiO3-BaFe12O9 composite multiferroics

A study on magnetoelectric phenomena in the barium titanate-barium hexaferrite (BaTiO3-BaFe12O19) composite system, using high resolution techniques including switching spectroscopy piezoresponse force microscopy (SSPFM) and spatially resolved confocal Raman microscopy (CRM), is presented. It is found that both the local piezoelectric coefficient and polarization switching parameters change on the application of an external magnetic field. The latter effect is rationalized by the influence of magnetostrictive stress on the domain dynamics. Processing of the Raman spectral data using principal component analysis (PCA) and self-modelling curve resolution (SMCR) allowed us to achieve high resolution phase distribution maps along with separation of average and localized spectral components. A significant effect of the magnetic field on the Raman spectra of the BaTiO3 phase has been revealed. The observed changes are comparable with the classical pressure dependent studies on BaTiO3, confirming the strain mediated character of the magnetoelectric coupling in the studied composites.

Intriguing photo-control of exchange bias in BiFeO3/La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 thin films on SrTiO3 substrates

To date, electric fields have been widely used to control the magnetic properties of BiFeO3-based antiferromagnet/ferromagnet heterostructures through application of an exchange bias. To extend the applicability of exchange bias, however, an alternative mechanism to electric fields is required. Here, we report the photo-control of exchange bias in BiFeO3/La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 thin films on an SrTiO3 substrate. Through an ex situ pulsed laser deposition technique, we successfully synthesized epitaxial BiFeO3/La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 thin films on SrTiO3 substrates. By measuring magnetoresistance under light illumination, we investigated the effect of light illumination on resistance, exchange bias, and coercive field in BiFeO3/La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 thin films. After illumination of red and blue lights, the exchange bias was sharply reduced compared to that measured in the dark. With increasing light intensity, the exchange bias under red and blue lights initially decreased to zero and then appeared again. It is possible to reasonably explain these behaviors by considering photo-injection from SrTiO3 and the photo-conductivity of La2/3Sr1/3MnO3. This study may provide a fundamental understanding of the mechanism underlying photo-controlled exchange bias, which is significant for the development of new functional spintronic devices.

The contribution of Diamond Light Source to the study of strongly correlated electron systems and complex magnetic structures

We review some of the significant contributions to the field of strongly correlated materials and complex magnets, arising from experiments performed at the Diamond Light Source (Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK) during the first few years of operation (2007-2014). We provide a comprehensive overview of Diamond research on topological insulators, multiferroics, complex oxides and magnetic nanostructures. Several experiments on ultrafast dynamics, magnetic imaging, photoemission electron microscopy, soft X-ray holography and resonant magnetic hard and soft X-ray scattering are described.

Uniaxial-stress control of spin-driven ferroelectricity in multiferroic Ba(2)CoGe(2)O(7)

We have demonstrated that spin-driven ferroelectricity in a tetragonal multiferroic Ba(2)CoGe(2)O(7) is controlled by applying uniaxial stress. We found that the application of compressive stress along the [110] direction leads to a 45° or 135° rotation of the sublattice magnetization of the staggered antiferromagnetic order in this system. This allows the spontaneous electric polarization to appear along the c axis. The present study suggests that an application of anisotropic stress, which is the simplest way to control symmetry of matter, can induce a variety of cross-correlated phenomena in spin-driven multiferroics.

Critical slowing down near the multiferroic phase transition in MnWO4

By using broadband dielectric spectroscopy in the radio frequency and microwave range, we studied the magnetoelectric dynamics in the multiferroic chiral antiferromagnet MnWO_{4}. Above the multiferroic phase transition at T_{N2}≈12.6  K we observe a critical slowing of the corresponding magnetoelectric fluctuations resembling the soft-mode behavior in canonical ferroelectrics. This electric-field-driven excitation carries much less spectral weight than ordinary phonon modes. Also, the critical slowing down of this mode scales with an exponent larger than 1, which is expected for magnetic second-order phase transition scenarios. Therefore, the investigated dynamics have to be interpreted as the softening of an electrically active magnetic excitation, an electromagnon.

Structural, optical and vibrational properties of self-assembled Pbn+1(Ti1-x Fex)nO(3n+1)-δ Ruddlesden-Popper superstructures

Bulk crystals and thin films of PbTi_1−xFe_xO_3−δ (PTFO) are multiferroic, exhibiting ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism at room temperature. Here we report that the Ruddlesden-Popper phase Pb_n+1(Ti_1−xFe_x)_nO_3n+1−δ forms spontaneously during pulsed laser deposition of PTFO on LaAlO₃ substrates. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy were utilised to perform a structural and compositional analysis, demonstrating that and . The complex dielectric function of the films was determined from far-infrared to ultraviolet energies using a combination of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The simultaneous Raman and infrared activity of phonon modes and the observation of second harmonic generation establishes a non-centrosymmetric point group for Pb_n+1(Ti_0.5Fe_0.5)_nO_3n+1−δ, a prerequisite for (but not proof of) ferroelectricity. No evidence of macroscopic ferromagnetism was found in SQUID magnetometry. The ultrafast optical response exhibited coherent magnon oscillations compatible with local magnetic order, and additionally was used to study photocarrier cooling on picosecond timescales. An optical gap smaller than that of BiFeO₃ and long photocarrier lifetimes may make this system interesting as a ferroelectric photovoltaic.

MnTaO2N: polar LiNbO3-type oxynitride with a helical spin order

The synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of a polar and magnetic oxynitride MnTaO2N are reported. High-pressure synthesis at 6 GPa and 1400 °C allows for the stabilization of a high-density structure containing middle-to-late transition metals. Synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction studies revealed that MnTaO2N adopts the LiNbO3-type structure, with a random distribution of O(2-) and N(3-) anions. MnTaO2N with an "orbital-inactive" Mn(2+) ion (d(5); S=5/2) exhibits a nontrivial helical spin order at 25 K with a propagation vector of [0,0,δ] (δ≈0.3), which is different from the conventional G-type order observed in other orbital-inactive perovskite oxides and LiNbO3-type oxides. This result suggests the presence of strong frustration because of the heavily tilted MnO4N2 octahedral network combined with the mixed O(2-)/N(3-) species that results in a distribution of (super)-superexchange interactions.

Fabrication of flexible and self-standing inorganic–organic three phase magneto-dielectric PVDF based multiferroic nanocomposite films through a small loading of graphene oxide (GO) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Nanocomposite films PVDF, PVDF-GO, PVDF-Fe₃O₄ and PVDF-GO- Fe₃O₄ were prepared by a solvent casting route.

Structural, optical and magnetic tunability in KBiFe2O5 multiferroics

KBiFe₂O₅, a highly promising multiferroic for perovskite solar cells, has been fabricated using a one-step thermal treatment method.

G, Kumar A, Ghosh AK, Singh R, Sharma N, Das A, Sinha AK, Joshi AG, Nigam AK, Chatterjee S. Magnetic and optical properties of Fe doped crednerite CuMnO2

A geometrically frustrated magnetic CuMnO₂ system has been investigated because of its rich magnetic properties.

Observation of direct magneto-dielectric behaviour in Lu3Fe5O12−δ above room-temperature

Oxygen vacancy created an intrinsic magneto-dielectric effect in Lu₃Fe₅O₁₂.

Nanostructured hexahedron of bismuth ferrite clusters: delicate synthesis processes and an efficient multiplex catalyst for organic pollutant degradation

(1) Synthesis: an evolution mechanism of NSCC-Bi₂Fe₄O₉viaa delicate synthesis processes; (2) application: visible-light photo-Fenton oxidation for organic pollutant removal and (3) multiplex catalysis: its catalytic mechanism in light or dark conditions.

Room-temperature magnetoelectric coupling in nanocrystalline (Na1−xKx)0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (x = 0.1, 0.16, 0.20, 0.25)

Nanocrystalline (Na_1−xK_x)_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ (x = 0.1, 0.16, 0.20, 0.25) plates exhibit ferromagnetism at room temperature.

Deterministic switching of ferromagnetism at room temperature using an electric field

The technological appeal of multiferroics is the ability to control magnetism with electric field. For devices to be useful, such control must be achieved at room temperature. The only single-phase multiferroic material exhibiting unambiguous magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature is BiFeO3 (refs 4 and 5). Its weak ferromagnetism arises from the canting of the antiferromagnetically aligned spins by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction. Prior theory considered the symmetry of the thermodynamic ground state and concluded that direct 180-degree switching of the DM vector by the ferroelectric polarization was forbidden. Instead, we examined the kinetics of the switching process, something not considered previously in theoretical work. Here we show a deterministic reversal of the DM vector and canted moment using an electric field at room temperature. First-principles calculations reveal that the switching kinetics favours a two-step switching process. In each step the DM vector and polarization are coupled and 180-degree deterministic switching of magnetization hence becomes possible, in agreement with experimental observation. We exploit this switching to demonstrate energy-efficient control of a spin-valve device at room temperature. The energy per unit area required is approximately an order of magnitude less than that needed for spin-transfer torque switching. Given that the DM interaction is fundamental to single-phase multiferroics and magnetoelectrics, our results suggest ways to engineer magnetoelectric switching and tailor technologically pertinent functionality for nanometre-scale, low-energy-consumption, non-volatile magnetoelectronics.

Tuning structural instability toward enhanced magnetocaloric effect around room temperature in MnCo(1-x)Zn(x)Ge

Magnetocaloric effect is the phenomenon that temperature change of a magnetic material is induced by application of a magnetic field. This effect can be applied to environmentally-benign magnetic refrigeration technology. Here we show a key role of magnetic-field-induced structural instability in enhancing the magnetocaloric effect for MnCo_1−xZn_xGe alloys (x = 0–0.05). The increase in x rapidly reduces the martensitic transition temperature while keeping the ferromagnetic transition around room temperature. Fine tuning of x around x = 0.03 leads to the concomitant structural and ferromagnetic transition in a cooling process, giving rise to enhanced magnetocaloric effect as well as magnetic-field-induced structural transition. Analyses of the structural phase diagrams in the T-H plane in terms of Landau free-energy phenomenology accounts for the characteristic x-dependence of the observed magnetocaloric effect, pointing to the importance of the magnetostructural coupling for the design of high-performance magnetocalorics.

Electronic ferroelectricity in molecular organic crystals

Electronic ferroelectricity in molecular organic crystals is reviewed from a theoretical perspective. In particular, we focus on the charge-driven-type electronic ferroelectricity where electronic charge order without inversion symmetry induces a spontaneous electric polarization in quarter-filling systems. Two necessary conditions to realize this type of ferroelectricity are the dimer-type lattice structure and alternate electronic charge alignments. Some prototypical organic compounds are introduced. In particular, κ-type BEDT-TTF organic salts, which are termed the dimer-Mott insulating systems, are focused on. Recent developments in the theoretical researches for dielectric and magnetodielectric properties, a collective dipole excitation and a possibility of superconductivity induced by polar charge fluctuation are reviewed. Some perspectives are presented.

Absence of significant structural changes near the magnetic ordering temperature in small-ion rare earth perovskite RMnO3

Detailed structural measurements on multiple length scales were conducted on a new perovskite phase of ScMnO3, and on orthorhombic LuMnO3 as a benchmark. Complementary density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out, and predict that ScMnO3 possesses E-phase magnetic order at low temperature with displacements of the Mn sites (relative to the high temperature state) of ∼0.07 Å, compared to ∼0.04 Å predicted for LuMnO3. However, detailed local, intermediate and long-range structural measurements by x-ray pair distribution function analysis, single crystal x-ray diffraction and x-ray absorption spectroscopy, find no local or long-range distortions on crossing into the low temperature E-phase of the magnetically ordered state. The measurements place upper limits on any structural changes to be at most one order of magnitude lower than DFT predictions and suggest that this theoretical approach does not properly account for the spin-lattice coupling in these oxides and may possibly predict the incorrect magnetic order at low temperatures. The results suggest that the electronic contribution to the electrical polarization dominates and should be more accurately treated in theoretical models.

Room-temperature ferroelectricity in hexagonal TbMnO3 thin films

Piezoresponse force microscopy imaging in conjunction with first-principles calculations provide strong evidence for room-temperature ferroelectricity in epitaxially stabilized hexagonal TbMnO3 thin films, which in the bulk form are with orthorhombic structure. The obtained results demonstrate that new phases and functional properties of complex oxide materials can be strain-engineered using epitaxial growth.

Dielectric properties and electrical switching behaviour of the spin-driven multiferroic LiCuVO4

The simultaneous existence and coupling of ferroelectric and magnetic ordering in a material, so-called multiferroicity, is of great scientific interest due to the underlying complex physical mechanisms and its possible applications. Here we present the multiferroic properties of a prototypical spin-driven ferroelectric material, the spin-1/2 chain cuprate LiCuVO4. In this system, spiral spin order, with propagation in the b direction and a spin helix in the ab plane, induces ferroelectric polarization in the a direction when no magnetic field is applied. In an external magnetic field, the direction of the spin spiral and thus the direction of the electrical polarization can be switched. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy on a single crystalline sample oriented in two different directions was performed in applied external magnetic fields up to 9 T, demonstrating this switching behaviour of the ferroelectric polarization. Furthermore, detailed magnetic-field and temperature-dependent ferroelectric hysteresis-loop measurements reveal the switching of polarization by an electrical field, which implies the electric control of the spin helicity of LiCuVO4.

k=0 magnetic structure and absence of ferroelectricity in SmFeO3

SmFeO3 has attracted considerable attention very recently due to its reported multiferroic properties above room temperature. We have performed powder and single crystal neutron diffraction as well as complementary polarization dependent soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements on floating-zone grown SmFeO3 single crystals in order to determine its magnetic structure. We found a k=0 G-type collinear antiferromagnetic structure that is not compatible with inverse Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction driven ferroelectricity. While the structural data reveal a clear sign for magneto-elastic coupling at the Néel-temperature of ∼675  K, the dielectric measurements remain silent as far as ferroelectricity is concerned.

Spin and orbital orderings behind multiferroicity in delafossite and related compounds

Coupling between noncollinear magnetic ordering and ferroelectricicty in magnetoelectric multiferroics has been extensively studied in the last decade. Delafossite family compounds with triangular lattice structure provide a great opportunity to study the coupling between spin and electric dipole in multiferroics due to the variety of magnetic phases with different symmetry. This review introduces the magnetic and ferroelectric phase transitions in delafossite ferrites, CuFe(1-x)X(x)O(2) (X = Al, Ga), AgFeO(2) and the related compound α-NaFeO(2). In CuFeO(2), the ferroelectric phase appears under a magnetic field or chemical substitution. The proper screw magnetic ordering with the magnetic point group 21', which has been determined by detailed analysis in neutron diffraction experiments, induces the ferroelectric polarization along the monoclinic b axis in CuFeO2. The cycloidal magnetic orderings are realized in AgFeO(2) and α-NaFeO(2), which are of the point group m1' allowing polarization in the ac plane. The emergence of ferroelectric polarization can be explained by both the extended inverse Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya effect and the d − p hybridization mechanism. These mechanisms are supported by experimental evidence in CuFe(1-x)Ga(x)O2. The polarized neutron diffraction experiment demonstrated one-to-one correspondence between ferroelectric polarization and spin helicity, S(i) × S(j). The incommensurate orbital ordering with 2 Q wave vector, observed by the soft x-ray resonant diffraction experiment, proved that the spin-orbit interaction ties spin and orbital orders to each other, playing a crucial role for the emergence of ferroelectricity in CuFe(1-x)Ga(x)O2.

Novel multiferroicity in GdMnO3 thin films with self-assembled nano-twinned domains

There have been many interests in exploring multiferroic materials with superior ferroelectric and magnetic properties for the purpose of developing multifunctional devices. Fabrication of thin films plays an important role in achieving this purpose, since the multiferroicity can be tuned via strain, dimensionality, and size effect, without varying the chemical composition. Here, we report exotic multiferroic behaviors, including high-T_C (~75 K) ferroelectric state, a large spontaneous polarization (~4900 μC/m²) and relatively strong ferromagnetism emerging at ~105 K, in orthorhombic GdMnO₃/SrTiO₃ (001) thin films with self-assembled nano-scale twin-like domains. We propose a possible ab-plane spiral-spin-order phase to be responsible for the large spontaneous polarization in the films, which can only be stabilized by relatively high magnetic field H > 6 T in the bulk crystals. It is suggested that the nano-scale twin-like domain structure is essential for the high temperature ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism of the thin films.

High pressure and multiferroics materials: a happy marriage

The community of material scientists is strongly committed to the research area of multiferroic materials, both for the understanding of the complex mechanisms supporting the multiferroism and for the fabrication of new compounds, potentially suitable for technological applications. The use of high pressure is a powerful tool in synthesizing new multiferroic, in particular magneto-electric phases, where the pressure stabilization of otherwise unstable perovskite-based structural distortions may lead to promising novel metastable compounds. The in situ investigation of the high-pressure behavior of multiferroic materials has provided insight into the complex interplay between magnetic and electronic properties and the coupling to structural instabilities.

Structure and spin dynamics of multiferroic BiFeO3

Multiferroic materials have attracted much interest due to the unusual coexistence of ferroelectric and (anti-)ferromagnetic ground states in a single compound. They offer an exciting platform for new physics and potentially novel devices. BiFeO3 is one of the most celebrated multiferroic materials and has highly desirable properties. It is the only known room-temperature multiferroic with TC ≈ 1100 K and TN ≈ 650 K, and exhibits one of the largest spontaneous electric polarisations, P ≈ 80 µC cm(-2). At the same time, it has a magnetic cycloid structure with an extremely long period of 620 Å, which arises from competition between the usual symmetric exchange interaction and the antisymmetric Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction. There is also an intriguing interplay between the DM interaction and single ion anisotropy K. In this review, we have attempted to paint a complete picture of bulk BiFeO3 by summarising the structural and dynamic properties of both the spin and lattice parts and their magneto-electric coupling.

Coupled ferroelectric polarization and magnetization in spinel FeCr2S4

One of the core issues for multiferroicity is the strongly coupled ferroelectric polarization and magnetization, while so far most multiferroics have antiferromagnetic order with nearly zero magnetization. Magnetic spinel compounds with ferrimagnetic order may be alternative candidates offering large magnetization when ferroelectricity can be activated simultaneously. In this work, we investigate the ferroelectricity and magnetism of spinel FeCr₂S₄ in which the Fe²⁺ sublattice and Cr³⁺ sublattice are coupled in antiparallel alignment. Well defined ferroelectric transitions below the Fe²⁺ orbital ordering termperature T_oo = 8.5 K are demonstrated. The ferroelectric polarization has two components. One component arises mainly from the noncollinear conical spin order associated with the spin-orbit coupling, which is thus magnetic field sensitive. The other is probably attributed to the Jahn-Teller distortion induced lattice symmetry breaking, occuring below the orbital ordering of Fe²⁺. Furthermore, the coupled ferroelectric polarization and magnetization in response to magnetic field are observed. The present work suggests that spinel FeCr₂S₄ is a multiferroic offering both ferroelectricity and ferrimagnetism with large net magnetization.

Spin-chirality-driven ferroelectricity on a perfect triangular lattice antiferromagnet

Magnetic field (B) variation of the electrical polarization P(c) (∥c) of the perfect triangular lattice antiferromagnet RbFe(MoO(4))(2) is examined up to the saturation point of the magnetization for B⊥c. P(c) is observed only in phases for which chirality is predicted in the in-plane magnetic structures. No strong anomaly is observed in P(c) at the field at which the spin modulation along the c axis, and hence the spin helicity, exhibits a discontinuity to the commensurate state. These results indicate that the ferroelectricity in this compound originates predominantly from the spin chirality, the explanation of which would require a new mechanism for magnetoferroelectricity. The obtained field-temperature phase diagram of ferroelectricity agree well with those theoretically predicted for the spin chirality of a Heisenberg spin triangular lattice antiferromagnet.

Spin-orbital driven ferroelectricity

We study the effect of octahedron rotation on the electric polarization with spin-orbit coupling. Employing local coordinates to represent the tilting of the ligands' octahedra, we evaluate the electric polarization in a chain of transition metal ions with non-polar octahedron rotation. We find the orbital ordering produced by the ligands' rotation and the spin order, together, determine the polarization features, manifesting that non-vanishing polarization appears in collinear spin order and the direction of polarization is no more restricted in the plane of spin rotation in cycloidal ordering.

Thermodynamic bounds and general properties of optimal efficiency and power in linear responses

We study the optimal exergy efficiency and power for thermodynamic systems with an Onsager-type "current-force" relationship describing the linear response to external influences. We derive, in analytic forms, the maximum efficiency and optimal efficiency for maximum power for a thermodynamic machine described by a N×N symmetric Onsager matrix with arbitrary integer N. The figure of merit is expressed in terms of the largest eigenvalue of the "coupling matrix" which is solely determined by the Onsager matrix. Some simple but general relationships between the power and efficiency at the conditions for (i) maximum efficiency and (ii) optimal efficiency for maximum power are obtained. We show how the second law of thermodynamics bounds the optimal efficiency and the Onsager matrix and relate those bounds together. The maximum power theorem (Jacobi's Law) is generalized to all thermodynamic machines with a symmetric Onsager matrix in the linear-response regime. We also discuss systems with an asymmetric Onsager matrix (such as systems under magnetic field) for a particular situation and we show that the reversible limit of efficiency can be reached at finite output power. Cooperative effects are found to improve the figure of merit significantly in systems with multiply cross-correlated responses. Application to example systems demonstrates that the theory is helpful in guiding the search for high performance materials and structures in energy researches.

Phase transition and phase separation in multiferroic orthorhombic Dy(1-x)Ho(x)MnO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

We report on structural, magnetic, ferroelectric, and thermodynamic properties of polycrystalline orthorhombic manganites Dy_1−xHo_xMnO₃ for Ho substitution levels 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. This system offers a possibility to systemically modulate the multiferroicity of RMnO₃ via tuning the A-site ionic radii as well as the A-site magnetism. The successive transition of the multiferroic ground state is traced from the bc-cycloidal (DyMnO₃) to the E-type antiferromagnetic phase (HoMnO₃). In the middle substitution range 0.4 < x < 0.5, the phase separation is prominent, which's residual may survive in an even wider range. Accompanied with the phase transition and phase separation, obvious enhancement of both the polarization and magnetoelectric response is observed. Our experimental study also confirmed that the rare earth (Dy/Ho)-Mn exchange striction is a crucial role in deciding the multiferroicity of manganites.

Orbital-ordering-driven multiferroicity and magnetoelectric coupling in GeV₄S₈

We report here the discovery of multiferroicity and large magnetoelectric coupling in the type I orbital order system GeV₄S₈. Our study demonstrates that this clustered compound displays a para-ferroelectric transition at 32 K. This transition originates from an orbital ordering which reorganizes the charge within the transition metal clusters. Below the antiferromagnetic transition at 17 K, the application of a magnetic field significantly affects the ferroelectric polarization, revealing thus a large magnetoelectric coupling. Our study suggests that the application of a magnetic field induces a metamagnetic transition which significantly affects the ferroelectric polarization thanks to an exchange striction phenomenon.

Perovskite-structure TlMnO₃: a new manganite with new properties

We synthesize a new member of the AMnO3 perovskite manganite family (where A is a trivalent cation)--thallium manganite, TlMnO3--under high-pressure (6 GPa) and high-temperature (1500 K) conditions and show that the structural and magnetic properties are distinct from those of all other AMnO3 manganites. The crystal structure of TlMnO3 is solved and refined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. We obtain a triclinically distorted structure with space group P1̅ (No. 2), Z = 4, and lattice parameters a = 5.4248(2) Å, b = 7.9403(2) Å, c = 5.28650(10) Å, α = 87.8200(10)°, β = 86.9440(10)°, and γ = 89.3130(10)° at 293 K. There are four crystallographic Mn sites in TlMnO3 forming two groups based on the degree of their Jahn-Teller distortions. Physical properties of insulating TlMnO3 are investigated with Mössbauer spectroscopy and resistivity, specific heat, and magnetization measurements. The orbital ordering, which persists to the decomposition temperature of 820 K, suggests A-type antiferromagnetic ordering with the ferromagnetic planes along the [-101] direction, consistent with the measured collinear antiferromagnetism below the Néel temperature of 92 K. Hybrid density functional calculations are consistent with the experimentally identified structure, insulating ground state, and suggested magnetism, and show that the low symmetry originates from the strongly Jahn-Teller distorted Mn(3+) ions combined with the strong covalency of the Tl(3+)-O bonds.

Ultrathin Ferroelectric Films: Growth, Characterization, Physics and Applications

Ultrathin ferroelectric films are of increasing interests these years, owing to the need of device miniaturization and their wide spectrum of appealing properties. Recent advanced deposition methods and characterization techniques have largely broadened the scope of experimental researches of ultrathin ferroelectric films, pushing intensive property study and promising device applications. This review aims to cover state-of-the-art experimental works of ultrathin ferroelectric films, with a comprehensive survey of growth methods, characterization techniques, important phenomena and properties, as well as device applications. The strongest emphasis is on those aspects intimately related to the unique phenomena and physics of ultrathin ferroelectric films. Prospects and challenges of this field also have been highlighted.