Nature of ferroelectric transitions in spin ice Ho2Ti2O7 and Dy2Ti2O7

TL;DR

This study reveals that ferroelectric transitions in Ho2Ti2O7 and Dy2Ti2O7 are driven by electronic effects linked to spin orientation changes, with lattice distortions at oxygen sites causing diffuse phase transitions around 90K and 36K.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the electronic origin of ferroelectricity in spin ice materials, highlighting the role of spin orientation and lattice distortions at oxygen sites.

Findings

Diffuse ferroelectric phase transitions at 90K and 36K.

Transitions caused by lattice distortions at oxygen sites.

Spin orientation changes influence ferroelectric behavior.

Abstract

To investigate the possible origin and mechanism of ferroelectricity in polycrystalline spin ices Ho2Ti2O7 and Dy2Ti2O7 a detailed dielectric study has been performed. Experimental finding suggests that both materials have two prominent diffuse ferroelectric phase transitions around 90K and 36K. These transitions are distinctly generated by the lattice distortions at the oxygen sites as confirmed by triggered distortions and order of activation energy. Due to the incompatibility of the gyrotropic order with any phonon mode at the Brillouin zone center, observed diffuse ferroelectric phase transitions can have only an electronic origin. Through magnetic susceptibility and previously reported spin relaxation behavior it has been concluded that single ion anisotropy has thermal variation, due to which orientation of rare earth magnetic moment from isotropic non-Ising to Ising spin along local <111>axis takes place. This spin orientation distinctly distorting the both oxygen sites of the structure reflects in the form of diffuse ferroelectric phase transitions.