Phase transitions in multiferroic BiFeO3 crystals, thin-layers, and ceramics: Enduring potential for a single phase, room-temperature magnetoelectric 'holy grail'

TL;DR

This paper explores magnetic phase transitions in BiFeO3, showing how external stimuli induce changes that enhance its potential as a room-temperature multiferroic with significant magnetoelectric effects.

Contribution

It demonstrates the control of magnetic phases in BiFeO3 through various methods, highlighting its potential as a single-phase room-temperature multiferroic material.

Findings

Magnetic phase transitions can be induced by magnetic field, strain, and composition.

Transitions involve a change from spin spiral to antiferromagnetic state.

Latent magnetization and linear magnetoelectric effects are observed.

Abstract

Magnetic phase transitions in multiferroic bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) induced by magnetic field, epitaxial strain, and composition modification are considered. These transitions from a spatially modulated spin spiral state to a homogenous antiferromagnetic one are accompanied by the release of latent magnetization and a linear magnetoelectric effect that makes BiFeO3-based materials efficient room-temperature single phase multiferroics.