Dynamically induced multiferroic polarization

TL;DR

This paper introduces a mechanism to induce multiferroic polarization in nonpolar, nonmagnetic materials using ultrashort laser pulses, enabling ultrafast control of multiferroicity and magnetoelectricity.

Contribution

It demonstrates a novel way to transiently generate ferroelectric and magnetic order in nonpolar, nonmagnetic materials via laser-driven phonon excitation.

Findings

Polarization and magnetization can be induced in $b ext{LiBO}_2$ using laser pulses.

The polarization direction and magnitude are controllable by laser pulse chirality.

Ultrafast switching of multiferroic states is possible.

Abstract

We describe a mechanism by which both ferroelectric polarization and magnetization can be created in nonpolar, nonmagnetic materials. Using a combination of phenomenological modeling and first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that ferroelectric polarization, magnetization, or both simultaneously can be transiently induced by an ultrashort laser pulse upon linearly, circularly, or elliptically polarized excitation of phonon modes in $\gamma$-LiBO$_2$. The direction and magnitude of the multiferroic polarization can be controlled by the chirality of the laser pulse and the phonon modes, offering a pathway for controlling multiferroicity and magnetoelectricity on ultrafast timescales.