Investigation of the multiferroic behavior in FeVO$_{4}$ single crystals

FeVO$_{4}$ is considered as a model system for understanding the magnetoelectric interaction mechanisms in low symmetry multiferroics. Bulk FeVO$_{4}$ exhibits two antiferromagnetic phase transitions at $T_{\mathrm{N1}} = $ 22 K and $T_{\mathrm{N2}} = $ 15 K. Below $T_{\mathrm{N2}}$, a noncollinear magnetic order develops, breaking the space inversion symmetry that induces ferroelectric order. Earlier measurements on polycrystalline samples of FeVO$_{4}$ doped with magnetic (e.g.: Chromium) as well as non-magnetic (e.g.: Zinc) ions, indicate the stability of the two antiferromagnetic transition temperatures, with a change of only 2{\%} corresponding to the doping concentration of 20{\%}. It also shows the ability of the FeVO$_{4}$ triclinic structure to accommodate such high doping levels. Working along the same line, we have prepared both doped and undoped single crystals of FeVO$_{4}$ by a flux method. Samples were characterized using XRD and Raman spectroscopy to track the changes in lattice parameters induced by different dopants. The magnetic and ferroelectric properties were investigated in order to understand the origin of magnetoelectric coupling in low symmetry multiferroics.