Multiferroic nature of charge-ordered rare earth manganites

TL;DR

This study investigates charge-ordered rare earth manganites, revealing dielectric anomalies and magnetoferroelectric effects that demonstrate coupling between magnetic and electric properties, supporting recent theoretical predictions.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of magnetoferroelectricity in charge-ordered manganites, confirming theoretical models of multiferroic behavior in these materials.

Findings

Dielectric constant anomalies at charge-ordering temperatures

Magnetic fields influence dielectric properties significantly

Observation of magnetoferroelectricity consistent with theoretical predictions

Abstract

Charge-ordered rare earth manganites Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3, La0.25Nd0.25Ca0.5MnO3, Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 and Pr0.6Ca0.4MnO3 are found to exhibit dielectric constant anomalies around the charge-ordering or the magnetic transition temperatures. Magnetic fields have a marked effect on the dielectric properties, indicating the presence of coupling between the magnetic and electrical order parameters. The observation of magnetoferroelectricity in these manganites is in accord with the recent theoretical predictions of Khomskii and coworkers.