Transition between two metallic ferroelectric orders in multiferroic Ca$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$, induced by magnetism-mediated orbital re-polarization

TL;DR

This study reveals a 48K phase transition in Ca$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$ driven by magnetism-mediated orbital re-polarization, causing a switch between two metallic ferroelectric orders, and clarifies longstanding experimental controversies.

Contribution

It demonstrates the first observed transition between multiple metallic ferroelectric orders in a bad metal, linking magnetic, orbital, and ferroelectric phenomena.

Findings

Transition involves a switch from $xy+y$ to $xz+z$ ferroelectric order

The phase transition is driven by orbital re-polarization mediated by magnetism

The study resolves long-standing experimental ambiguities in Ca$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$

Abstract

For the past decades, the low-temperature phase of Ca$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$ below the 48K first-order phase transition remains a puzzle with controversial suggestions involving metallic ferroelectric, orbital or magnetic ordering. Through analysis of experimental lattice structure, density functional theory calculation, and effective model analysis, we propose that the 48K phase transition is a bond formation transition promoted by the magnetism mediated orbital re-polarization. Most interestingly, this transition is accompanied by a switch of \textit{two} metallic ferroelectric orders from a $xy+y$ symmetry to $xz+z$. Our study not only resolves a long-standing puzzle of this phase transition in this material, but also demonstrates perhaps the first example of transition between multiple emergent ferroelectric orders in bad metals, resulting from interplay between multiferroic orders.