Electric Control of Spin Helicity in a Magnetic Ferroelectric

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that the spin helicity in the magnetic ferroelectric TbMnO3 can be directly controlled by an electric field, revealing a new pathway for magnetoelectric device functionalities.

Contribution

It provides the first clear experimental evidence of electric control over spin helicity in a magnetic ferroelectric, advancing the understanding of magnetoelectric coupling mechanisms.

Findings

Spin helicity is controlled by the electric polarization direction.

Neutron scattering confirms the switchable magnetic structure.

Electric field influences the magnetic spiral in TbMnO3.

Abstract

Magnetic ferroelectrics or multiferroics, which are currently extensively explored, may provide a good arena to realize a novel magnetoelectric function. Here we demonstrate the genuine electric control of the spiral magnetic structure in one of such magnetic ferroelectrics, TbMnO3. A spin-polarized neutron scattering experiment clearly shows that the spin helicity, clockwise or counter-clockwise, is controlled by the direction of spontaneous polarization and hence by the polarity of the small cooling electric field.