Control of the Magnetoelectric Domain-Wall Stability by a Magnetic Field in a MultiferroicMnWO4

Abstract

The relation between the orientation of the magnetic field and the flopped ferroelectric polarization has been investigated for multiferroic MnWO4. The ferroelectric single-domain state is retained across the polarization flop process when the direction of the applied magnetic field slightly deviates from the b axis within the ab plane. Furthermore, the electric polarization in the high-field P parallela phase is reversed when the P parallelb-to-P parallela transition takes place while decreasing and increasing the magnetic fields oppositely canted from the b axis. These results indicate that the symmetry breaking induced by a canted magnetic field determines the direction of the polarization flop, which corresponds to the direction of the vector spin chirality. The stability of the magnetoelectric domain walls in a canted magnetic field play a key role in the directional control of the electric polarization flop phenomenon.

Correlation between magnetocapacitance effect and polarization flop direction in a slanted magnetic field in multiferroic helimagnets

“…The selective rotation of P is ascribed to the selective nucleation of two types of DWs in a canted magnetic field. Similar behavior has also been observed in another helimagnetic ferroelectric MnWO 4 [14]. Another striking feature of RMnO 3 is the gigantic magnetocapacitance effect at the P-flop transition [12].…”

Spin-Driven Ferroelectricity and Magneto-Electric Effects in Frustrated Magnetic Systems

“…On the other hand, in the field inclined to the Àa-direction, the spin spiral axis rotated in the opposite direction. 86) A similar control of the rotating direction of the spin spiral axis was observed in TbMnO 3 , though the apparent response is much complicated because of the presence of Tb 4f moments.…”

Electronic structure and anomalous band-edge absorption feature in multiferroicMnWO4: An optical spectroscopic study

“…The ferroelectric loop and domain dynamics of MnWO 4 have been studied under a magnetic field. [16][17][18] Additionally, suppression of the ferroelectric phase and change in magnetic ordering by doping Fe and Co ions has been observed. 19,20 More recently, the magnetoelectric memory effect was identified in MnWO 4 by applying a magnetic field.…”