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Microscopic approach to the magnetoelectric effect in R Mn 2 O 5
Author(s) -
Bahoosh Safa Golrokh,
Wesselinowa Julia M.,
Trimper Steffen
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
physica status solidi (b)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1521-3951
pISSN - 0370-1972
DOI - 10.1002/pssb.201248378
Subject(s) - condensed matter physics , magnetization , ferroelectricity , excitation , magnetoelectric effect , physics , multiferroics , polarization density , coupling (piping) , polarization (electrochemistry) , magnetic field , dielectric , materials science , quantum mechanics , chemistry , metallurgy
The multiferroic behavior of rare‐earth manganites is studied within a microscopic model including a symmetry‐allowed magnetoelectric coupling between polarization and magnetization. The magnetic subsystem is described by a frustrated Heisenberg spin model, whereas the ferroelectric subsystem is characterized by an Ising model in a transverse field. Using Green's function method we find analytically the temperature and wave vector dependent elementary excitation of the magnetoelectric system, the polarization and the magnetization for different magnetoelectric coupling strengths. The system undergoes a magnetic transition at T N and a further reduction of the temperature leads to a ferroelectric transition at T C < T N depending on the coupling strength. That coupling is also manifested as a kink in the magnetization and the elementary excitation at T C . Due to the magnetoelectric coupling the excitation energy exhibits a gap at zero wave vector which increases with increasing coupling. We show that the macroscopic magnetization can be slightly enhanced by an external electric field nearby T C . An external magnetic field leads to an increase of the polarization.