Magnetic and dielectric properties of YbMnO3 perovskite thin films

TL;DR

This study reports the growth and characterization of YbMnO3 perovskite thin films, revealing magneto-dielectric coupling and magnetic behaviors similar to the predicted E-phase, with ultrathin films showing glassy magnetic states.

Contribution

First demonstration of epitaxially strained YbMnO3 thin films exhibiting multiferroic-like properties and analysis of factors affecting their magnetic behavior.

Findings

Thin films show magneto-dielectric coupling.

Ultrathin films exhibit glassy magnetic behavior.

Strain effects are not the sole factor influencing magnetic properties.

Abstract

Metastable manganite perovskites displaying the antiferromagnetic so-called E-phase are predicted to be multiferroic. Due to the need of high-pressures for the synthesis of this phase, this prediction has only been confirmed in bulk HoMnO3. Here we report on the growth and characterization of YbMnO3 perovskite thin films grown under epitaxial strain. Highly-oriented thin films, with thickness down to ~30nm, can be obtained showing magneto-dielectric coupling and magnetic responses as those expected for the E-phase. We observe that the magnetic properties depart from the bulk behavior only in the case of ultrathin films (d< 30nm), which display a glassy magnetic behavior. We show that strain effects alone cannot account for this difference and that the film morphology plays, instead, a crucial role.