Writing and reading chiral domains in multiferroic DyMnO_3 using soft X-rays

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the use of soft X-ray diffraction and circular dichroism to image and analyze chiral magnetic domains in DyMnO_3, revealing the role of 4f moments in its multiferroic behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for controlling and imaging chiral domains in multiferroic materials using soft X-ray techniques.

Findings

Observation of sizeable b and c components of 4f moments.

Detection of pronounced circular dichroism indicating cycloidal order.

Imaging of chiral domains via local charging effects.

Abstract

Sizeable b and c components of the 4f moments and pronounced circular dichroism are observed in the ferroelectric phase of DyMnO_3 by soft X-ray diffraction at the Dy-M_5 resonance. This points to cycloidal order of the 4f moments and indicates that inversion-symmetry breaking in this material is not characteristic of the Mn spins alone. The circular dichroism allows to image chiral domains that are imprinted on the surface of a DyMnO$_3$ single crystal, exploiting the local charging by the X-ray beam via the photoelectric effect. These findings suggest a novel approach to control and image domains and domain walls in multiferroic materials.