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Direct visualization of magnetic‐field‐induced magnetoelectric switching in multiferroic aurivillius phase thin films
Author(s) -
Faraz Ahmad,
Maity Tuhin,
Schmidt Michael,
Deepak Nitin,
Roy Saibal,
Pemble Martyn E.,
Whatmore Roger W.,
Keeney Lynette
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/jace.14597
Subject(s) - aurivillius , multiferroics , ferroelectricity , materials science , ferromagnetism , thin film , piezoresponse force microscopy , condensed matter physics , phase (matter) , nuclear magnetic resonance , nanotechnology , optoelectronics , chemistry , physics , dielectric , organic chemistry
Multiferroic materials displaying coupled ferroelectric and ferromagnetic order parameters could provide a means for data storage whereby bits could be written electrically and read magnetically, or vice versa. Thin films of Aurivillius phase Bi 6 Ti 2.8 Fe 1.52 Mn 0.68 O 18 , previously prepared by a chemical solution deposition ( CSD ) technique, are multiferroics demonstrating magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature. Here, we demonstrate the growth of a similar composition, Bi 6 Ti 2.99 Fe 1.46 Mn 0.55 O 18 , via the liquid injection chemical vapor deposition technique. High‐resolution magnetic measurements reveal a considerably higher in‐plane ferromagnetic signature than CSD grown films ( M S =24.25 emu/g (215 emu/cm 3 ), M R =9.916 emu/g (81.5 emu/cm 3 ), H C =170 Oe). A statistical analysis of the results from a thorough microstructural examination of the samples, allows us to conclude that the ferromagnetic signature can be attributed to the Aurivillius phase, with a confidence level of 99.95%. In addition, we report the direct piezoresponse force microscopy visualization of ferroelectric switching while going through a full in‐plane magnetic field cycle, where increased volumes (8.6% to 14% compared with 4% to 7% for the CSD ‐grown films) of the film engage in magnetoelectric coupling and demonstrate both irreversible and reversible magnetoelectric domain switching.