Coupling of Magnetic Order, Ferroelectricity, and Lattice Strain in Multiferroic Rare Earth Manganites

TL;DR

This paper explores the complex interplay of magnetic, electric, and lattice phenomena in multiferroic rare earth manganites, highlighting the role of lattice strain and spin-phonon interactions in magnetoelectric coupling.

Contribution

It reveals the connection between lattice strain and magnetoelectric effects, advancing understanding of multiferroic mechanisms in HoMnO3.

Findings

Strong magneto-dielectric coupling linked to lattice strain

Large spin-phonon correlations influence multiferroic behavior

Lattice effects are crucial for understanding magnetoelectric phenomena

Abstract

Multiferroic rare earth manganites attracted recent attention because of the coexistence of different types of magnetic and ferroelectric orders resulting in complex phase diagrams and a wealth of physical phenomena. The coupling and mutual interference of the different orders and the large magnetoelectric effect observed in several compounds are of fundamental interest and bear the potential for future applications in which the dielectric (magnetic) properties can be modified by the onset of a magnetic (dielectric) transition or the application of a magnetic (electric) field. The physical mechanisms of the magnetoelectric effect and the origin of ferroelectric order at magnetic transitions have yet to be explored. We discuss multiferroic phenomena in the hexagonal HoMnO3 and show that the strong magneto-dielectric coupling is intimately related to the lattice strain induced by unusually large spin-phonon correlations.