Electronic ferroelectricity and magneto-electric effect in phase separated magnetic oxidesElectronic ferroelectricity and magneto-electric effect in phase separated magnetic oxides

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that phase separated magnetic oxide thin films exhibit intrinsic electric polarization linked to their magnetic state, which can be controlled externally, enabling electric manipulation of magnetic properties.

Contribution

It reveals the presence of electric polarization in phase separated magnetic oxides and shows how external electric fields can switch their magnetic and electric states.

Findings

Phase separated magnetic oxides have non-zero electric polarization.

Polarization states are degenerate and can be switched by electric fields.

Electric control of magnetic configuration is achievable in these materials.

Abstract

We consider phase separated states in magnetic oxides (MO) thin films. We show that these states have a non-zero electric polarization. Moreover, the polarization is intimately related to a spatial distribution of magnetization in the film. Polarized states with opposite polarization and opposite magnetic configuration are degenerate. An external electric field removes the degeneracy and allows to switch between the two states. So, one can control electric polarization and magnetic configuration of the phase separated MO thin film with the external electric field.