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Magnetoelectric effect arising from a field-induced pseudo Jahn-Teller distortion in a rare-earth magnet

ORAL

Abstract

Magnetoelectric materials are attractive for several applications, including actuators, switches, and magnetic field sensors. Typical mechanisms for achieving a strong magnetoelectric coupling are rooted in transition metal magnetism. In sharp contrast, here we identify CsEr(MoO4)2 as a magnetoelectric material without magnetic transition metal ions, thus ensuring that the Er ions play a key role in achieving this interesting property. Our detailed study includes measurements of the structural, magnetic, and magnetoelectric properties of this material. Bulk characterization and neutron powder diffraction show no evidence for structural phase transitions down to 0.3 K and therefore CsEr(MoO4)2 maintains the room temperature P2/c space group over a wide temperature range without external magnetic field. These same measurements also identify collinear antiferromagnetic ordering of the Er3+ moments below TN=0.87K. Complementary dielectric constant and pyroelectric current measurements reveal that a ferroelectric phase with a maximum polarization P∼0.6nC/cm2 emerges when applying a modest external magnetic field, which indicates that this material has a strong magnetoelectric coupling.

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Presenters

  • Minseong Lee

    National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Pulsed Field Facility, Los Alamos National Lab, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Authors

  • Minseong Lee

    National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Pulsed Field Facility, Los Alamos National Lab, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Qiang Chen

    Dep. Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN, University of Tennessee, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee

  • Eun Sang Choi

    National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Department of Physics, Florida State University, National High Magnetic Field Lab, Physics, Florida State University, National High Field Magnet Laboratory, Florida Sate University

  • Qing Huang

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Tenessee, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, National Institute of Standards and Technology, University of Tennessee

  • Zhe Wang

    Anhui Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory

  • Langsheng Ling

    Anhui Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory

  • Zhe Qu

    Anhui Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory

  • Guohua Wang

    Shanghai Jiao Tong University

  • Jie Ma

    School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

  • Adam Aczel

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Quantum Condensed Matter Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Lab

  • Haidong Zhou

    Dep. Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Tenessee, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, University of Tennessee, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee