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arXiv · 0910.5663

Writing and reading chiral domains in multiferroic DyMnO_3 using soft X-rays

E. Schierle·V. Soltwisch·D. Schmitz·R. Feyerherm·A. Maljuk·F. Yokaichiya·D. N. Argyriou·E. Weschke
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Abstract

Sizeable b and c components of the 4f moments and pronounced circular dichroism are observed in the ferroelectric phase of DyMnO_3 by soft X-ray diffraction at the Dy-M_5 resonance. This points to cycloidal order of the 4f moments and indicates that inversion-symmetry breaking in this material is not characteristic of the Mn spins alone. The circular dichroism allows to image chiral domains that are imprinted on the surface of a DyMnO$_3$ single crystal, exploiting the local charging by the X-ray beam via the photoelectric effect. These findings suggest a novel approach to control and image domains and domain walls in multiferroic materials.

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E. Schierle, V. Soltwisch, D. Schmitz, R. Feyerherm, A. Maljuk, F. Yokaichiya, D. N. Argyriou, E. Weschke. 2009-10-29. Writing and reading chiral domains in multiferroic DyMnO_3 using soft X-rays. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.105.167207

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