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Crystal and magnetic structures of hexagonal YMnO 3
Author(s) -
Howard Christopher J.,
Campbell Branton J.,
Stokes Harold T.,
Carpenter Michael A.,
Thomson Richard I.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta crystallographica section b
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.604
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 2052-5206
pISSN - 2052-5192
DOI - 10.1107/s205251921302993x
Subject(s) - multiferroics , antiferromagnetism , condensed matter physics , neutron diffraction , ferroelectricity , materials science , paramagnetism , magnetic structure , hexagonal crystal system , ferromagnetism , phase transition , crystal structure , crystallography , dielectric , magnetization , physics , chemistry , magnetic field , optoelectronics , quantum mechanics
The available data on the structural and magnetic transitions in multiferroic hexagonal YMnO 3 have been reviewed, first making use of the computer programs from the group theoretical ISOTROPY software suite to list possible crystal and magnetic structures, then taking into account the capability of neutron diffraction and other physical methods to distinguish them. This leads to a clear view of the transformation sequence, as follows. Hexagonal YMnO 3 is paraelectric in P 6 3 / mmc at elevated temperatures, and undergoes a single structural transition on cooling through 1250 K to a ferrielectric phase in P 6 3 cm that is retained through room temperature. At a much lower temperature, 70 K, there is a magnetic transition from paramagnetic to a triangular antiferromagnetic arrangement, most likely with symmetry P 6 3 ′ cm ′. Comment is made on the unusual coupling of ferroelectric and magnetic domains reported to occur in this material, as well as on the so‐called `giant magneto‐elastic' effect.