Origin of the magnetoelectric coupling effect in Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3/La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 multiferroic heterostructures

TL;DR

This study reveals that the magnetoelectric effect in Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3/La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 heterostructures is driven by electronic valence changes in Mn at the interface, enabling electronic control of spin states.

Contribution

It uncovers the electronic origin of the magnetoelectric coupling in multiferroic heterostructures through spectroscopic analysis.

Findings

Valence state of Mn shifts with ferroelectric polarization.

Magnetoelectric response linked to interfacial spin configuration.

Charge carrier modulation influences magnetic properties.

Abstract

The electronic valence state of Mn in Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3/La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 multiferroic heterostructures is probed by near edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy as a function of the ferroelectric polarization. We observe a temperature independent shift in the absorption edge of Mn associated with a change in valency induced by charge carrier modulation in the La0.8Sr0.2MnO3, demonstrating the electronic origin of the magnetoelectric effect. Spectroscopic, magnetic, and electric characterization shows that the large magnetoelectric response originates from a modified interfacial spin configuration, opening a new pathway to the electronic control of spin in complex oxide materials.