Multiferroicity and Magnetoelectric Coupling in TbMnO3 Thin Films

TL;DR

This study demonstrates successful growth of multiferroic TbMnO3 thin films with spin-origin multiferroicity and enhanced magnetoelectric coupling, revealing modified magnetic configurations and extended temperature range for control.

Contribution

The paper reports the first successful transfer of bulk-like multiferroicity to TbMnO3 thin films and uncovers anomalous magnetic transitions and extended magnetoelectric effects.

Findings

Multiferroicity of spin origin is preserved in thin films.

Anomalous magnetic transition related to Tb moments is observed.

Magnetoelectric coupling occurs above Tb spin ordering temperature.

Abstract

In this work, we report the growth and functional characterizations of multiferroic TbMnO3 thin films grown on Nb-doped SrTiO3 (001) substrates using pulsed laser deposition. By performing detailed magnetic and ferroelectric properties measurements, we demonstrate that the multiferroicity of spin origin known in the bulk crystals can be successfully transferred to TbMnO3 thin films. Meanwhile, anomalous magnetic transition and unusual magnetoelectric coupling related to Tb moments are observed, suggesting a modified magnetic configuration of Tb in the films as compared to the bulk counterpart. In addition, it is found that the magnetoelectric coupling enabled by Tb moments can even be seen far above the Tb spin ordering temperature, which provides a larger temperature range for the magnetoelectric control involving Tb moments.