Field-induced continuous rotation of the polarization in multiferroic Mn$_{0.95}$Co$_{0.05}$WO$_{4}$

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that applying a magnetic field to Mn$_{0.95}$Co$_{0.05}$WO$_{4}$ causes a continuous rotation of its ferroelectric polarization, revealing a magnetic-field-induced spin spiral plane rotation over a broad temperature and field range.

Contribution

It reports the first observation of a continuous polarization rotation induced by magnetic fields in a multiferroic compound, linking magnetic field effects to spin spiral plane orientation.

Findings

Polarization rotates continuously from b-axis to a-axis under magnetic field.

Rotation occurs over a large temperature and field range.

Polarization also rotates with temperature at constant magnetic field.

Abstract

We report the observation a continuous rotation of the polarization in Mn$_{0.95}$Co$_{0.05}$WO$_{4}$ under magnetic field. At zero field, this compound shows a transition into the spiral magnetic and ferroelectric phase at 12.2K, which is the ground state, with the polarization oriented along the b-axis. Increasing b-axis magnetic fields rotate the ferroelectric polarization continuously toward the a-axis, indicating a rotation of the spin spiral plane. This rotation extends over a large field and temperature range. At a constant magnetic field of 3 Tesla, the polarization also rotates from the a-axis at the ferroelectric transition toward the b-axis upon decreasing temperature.