Magnetoelectric Effect driven by Magnetic Domain Modification in LuFe2O4

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that the magnetoelectric effect in LuFe2O4 arises from the modification of microscopic magnetic domain structures, as evidenced by impedance spectroscopy and neutron diffraction under magnetic fields.

Contribution

It provides direct experimental evidence linking magnetic domain modifications to the magnetoelectric effect in LuFe2O4, highlighting the microscopic origin of this phenomenon.

Findings

Magneto-capacitance exhibits hysteresis below 240 K under magnetic field.

Neutron diffraction confirms domain boundary motion as the origin of dielectric changes.

Microscopic domain structure modification drives the magnetoelectric effect.

Abstract

Magneto-capacitance effect was investigated using the impedance spectroscopy on single crystals of LuFe2O4. The intrinsic impedance response could be separated from the interfacial response and showed a clear hysteresis loop below TFerri ~ 240 K under the magnetic field. The neutron diffraction experiment under the magnetic field proves the origin of dielectric property related to the motion of nano-sized ferromagnetic domain boundary. These results imply that the modification of the microscopic domain structure is responsible for the magnetoelectric effect in LuFe2O4.