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arXiv · 1208.1128

Coupling of magnetic and ferroelectric hysteresis by a multi-component magnetic structure in Mn2GeO4

J. S. White·T. Honda·K. Kimura·T. Kimura·Ch. Niedermayer·O. Zaharko·A. Poole·B. Roessli·M. Kenzelmann
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Abstract

The olivine compound Mn2GeO4 is shown to feature both a ferroelectric polarization and a ferromagnetic magnetization that are directly coupled and point along the same direction. We show that a spin spiral generates ferroelectricity (FE), and a canted commensurate order leads to weak ferromagnetism (FM). Symmetry suggests that the direct coupling between the FM and FE is mediated by Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions that exist only in the ferroelectric phase, controlling both the sense of the spiral rotation and the canting of the commensurate structure. Our study demonstrates how multi-component magnetic structures found in magnetically-frustrated materials like Mn2GeO4 provide a new route towards functional materials that exhibit coupled FM and FE.

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J. S. White, T. Honda, K. Kimura, T. Kimura, Ch. Niedermayer, O. Zaharko, A. Poole, B. Roessli, M. Kenzelmann. 2012-08-06. Coupling of magnetic and ferroelectric hysteresis by a multi-component magnetic structure in Mn2GeO4. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.108.077204

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