Photoinduced magnetization change in multiferroic YbFe2O4

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that laser illumination can induce a change in magnetization in multiferroic YbFe2O4 crystals, evidencing spin-charge coupling and enabling potential non-thermal optical control of magnetization.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of photoinduced magnetization change driven by charge order breakdown in YbFe2O4, highlighting a novel photomagnetic effect.

Findings

Photoinduced magnetization change confirmed in multiple crystal directions

Temperature dependence excludes laser heating as cause

Evidence supports spin-charge coupling in YbFe2O4

Abstract

We have studied the influence of laser illumination on the magnetization in multiferroic YbFe2O4 single crystals. A photoinduced magnetization change has been confirmed in both ab plane and c axis direction. The temperature dependence of the photoinduced magnetization reduction excludes laser heating as the cause. In terms of the breakdown of charge order driven by laser illumination, the photoinduced magnetization change provides a strong evidence for the spin-charge coupling in YbFe2O4. This photomagnetic effect based on charge-order-induced multiferroicity could be used for non-thermal optical control of magnetization.