On the theory of magnetization in multiferroics: competition between ferro- and antiferromagnetic domains

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the domain structure behavior in multiferroics with coexisting ferro- and antiferromagnetic orderings, emphasizing how external fields and magnetoelastic effects influence their properties.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework for understanding domain structure control in multiferroics with mixed magnetic orders, highlighting the role of destressing effects and magnetoelastic interactions.

Findings

Domain structure sensitivity to magnetic fields is mainly due to magnetoelastic destressing.

Magnetic susceptibility in low fields is influenced by magnetoelastic effects.

Elastic and magnetoelastic properties show peculiarities near 100 K in Sr2Cu3O4Cl2.

Abstract

Many technological applications of multiferroics are based on their ability to reconstruct the domain structure (DS) under the action of small external fields. In the present paper we analyze the different scenarios of the DS behavior in a multiferroic that shows simultaneously ferro- and antiferromagnetic ordering on the different systems of magnetic ions. We consider the way to control a composition of the DS and macroscopic properties of the sample by an appropriate field treatment. We found out that sensitivity of the DS to the external magnetic field and the magnetic susceptibility in a low-field region are determined mainly by the destressing effects (that have magnetoelastic origin). In a particular case of Sr$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{4}$Cl$_{2}$ crystal we anticipate the peculiarities of the elastic and magnetoelastic properties at $T\approx 100$ K.