Scanning probe imaging of coexistent ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity at room temperature

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the coexistence of ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity at room temperature in a novel thin film material, using microscopy and hysteresis measurements to reveal phase coexistence and domain structures.

Contribution

It provides direct imaging evidence of coexisting ferromagnetic and ferroelectric domains in a single material at room temperature, highlighting the influence of morphology on domain wall roughness.

Findings

Magnetic and ferroelectric domains coexist spatially.

Domain wall roughness depends on sample morphology.

Room temperature multiferroic behavior confirmed.

Abstract

Room temperature coexistence of ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity in a thin film of a novel material of nominal composition PbTi0.5Fe0.5O3-d is probed by standard ferroelectric and ferromagnetic hysteresis loop measurements and by scanning probe microscopy of various kinds. Both magnetic domains and ferroelectric domains are observed in the same spatial region of the material, implying phase coexistence in this system. For both order parameters, sample morphology strongly affects roughness of the domain walls.