Charge order, dynamics, and magneto-structural transition in multiferroic LuFe$_2$O$_4$

ORAL

Abstract

We investigated the series of temperature and field-driven transitions in LuFe$_2$O$_4$ by optical and M\"{o}ssbauer spectroscopies, magnetization, and x-ray scattering in order to understand the interplay between charge, structure, and magnetism in this multiferroic material. We demonstrate that charge fluctuation has an onset well below the charge ordering transition, supporting the ``order by fluctuation'' mechanism for the development of charge order superstructure. Bragg splitting and large magneto optical contrast suggest a low temperature monoclinic distortion that can be driven by both temperature and magnetic field.

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Authors

  • X. Xu

    University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Tennessee

  • Manuel Angst

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Tatiana Brinzari

    University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Raphael Hermann

    Institut f\"ur Festk\"orperforschung, Forschungszentrum J\"ulich GmbH, Universit\'e de Li\'ege

  • Janice Musfeldt

    University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Tennessee

  • Andy Christianson

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • D. G. Mandrus

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Tennessee, Materials Science \& Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA

  • Brian C. Sales

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Materials Science \& Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA

  • Steve McGill

    National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, NHMFL

  • Jong-Woo Kim

    Ames Laboratory

  • Zahirul Islam

    Argonne National Laboratory, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)