Magneto-electric effect in NdCrTiO5

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetoelectric effect in NdCrTiO5, revealing ferroelectric transitions linked to antiferromagnetism and showing that magnetic fields enhance polarization, suggesting magnetoelectric coupling or multiferroicity.

Contribution

First measurement of dielectric and pyroelectric properties in NdCrTiO5, demonstrating magnetically influenced ferroelectricity and discussing potential magnetoelectric mechanisms.

Findings

Ferroelectric transition at T_N = 21 K observed.

Magnetic field enhances polarization up to 7 T.

Spontaneous polarization of ~3.5 μC/m^2 detected.

Abstract

We have measured the dielectric constant and the pyroelectric current of orthorhombic (space group $Pbam$) NdCrTiO$_5$ polycrystalline samples. The dielectric constant and the pyroelectric current show features associated with ferroelectric transitions at the antiferromagnetic transition temperature ($T_{\text{N}}$ = 21 K). The effect of magnetic fields is to enhance the features almost linearly up to the maximum measured field (7 T) with a spontaneous polarization value of $\sim 3.5 \mu$C/m$^2$. Two possible scenarios, the linear magnetoelectric effect and multiferroicity (antiferromagnetism + ferroelectricity), are discussed as possible explanations for the observations.