Electric polarization of magnetic domain walls in magnetoelectrics

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates through simulations that magnetic domain walls in certain magnetoelectric materials are inherently ferroelectric, suggesting experimental observation could clarify the underlying interactions responsible for their magnetoelectric behavior.

Contribution

It reveals that magnetic domain walls in MnWO$_4$ and CuO are ferroelectric and proposes experimental detection to understand magnetoelectric mechanisms.

Findings

Domain walls are ferroelectric with the same polarization as magnetoelectric phases.

Simulation results suggest experimental detection of domain wall polarization.

Implication for understanding magnetoelectric interactions.

Abstract

Two prominent magnetoelectrics MnWO$_4$ and CuO possess low-temperature commensurate paraelectric magnetically ordered phase. Here using Monte Carlo simulations we show that the walls between the domains of this phase are ferroelectric with the same electric polarization direction and value as that in the magnetoelectric phases of these compounds. We also suggest that experimental observation of electric polarization of domain walls in MnWO$_4$ should help to determine the macroscopic interactions responsible for its magnetoelectric properties.