Multiferroic behavior in the double-perovskite Lu2MnCoO6
Abstract
We present Lu2MnCoO6, a multiferroic member of the double perovskites that we have investigated using x-ray and neutron diffraction, specific heat, magnetization, electric polarization, and dielectric constant measurements. This material possesses a net electric polarization strongly coupled to a net magnetization below 35 K, despite the antiferromagnetic ordering of the S=3/2 Mn4+ and Co2+ spins in an ↑↑↓↓ configuration along the c direction. We discuss the magnetic order in terms of a condensation of domain boundaries between ↑↑ and ↓↓ ferromagnetic domains, with each domain boundary producing an electric polarization due to spatial inversion symmetry breaking. In an applied magnetic field the domain boundaries slide, controlling the size of the magnetization, electric polarization, and magnetoelectric coupling.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review B
- Pub Date:
- October 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevB.84.134427
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1105.2058
- Bibcode:
- 2011PhRvB..84m4427Y
- Keywords:
-
- 75.85.+t;
- 75.50.Gg;
- 75.50.Lk;
- Ferrimagnetics;
- Spin glasses and other random magnets;
- Condensed Matter - Materials Science
- E-Print:
- doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.84.134427