Elusive multiferroicity in RNiO3 perovskites

In our paper we examined YNiO3 and proved that the RNiO3 family known for its metal-insulator transition is a type II multiferroic. We provide direct evidence of an electric-field-driven switch of the noncolliear magnetic state finally confirming the proposed type II multiferroic nature of YNiO3.
Published in Chemistry and Physics
Elusive multiferroicity in RNiO3 perovskites
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Correlated electron systems that are exemplified by perovskite oxides are key in condensed matter physics due to the strongly coupled lattice, spin, charge, and orbital degrees of freedom. This interconnectedness means there are myriad possibilities to push one functionality and receive a conjugate response. Multiferroics are highly prized due to the coupling of charge and magnetic degrees of freedom which are the prime functionalities for device applications, e.g. combining fast moving charge and the control magnetic states that is key for information technology. In nickelates especially, the recent discovery of superconductivity has driven renewed interest to explore the nature of coupled charge and magnetism.

The RNiO3 series (where R is a Lanthanide or Y) has been predicted to be a type II multiferroic at low temperatures, meaning that the ferroelectric and magnetic order are coupled and can be used to control one another. Previous experiment examining the phonon modes of RNiO3 indicated a loss of inversion symmetry in the low temperature phase, yet a demonstration of the coupled ferroelectric and magnetic orders needed to confirm the multiferroic nature of the material remained elusive.

Our discovery:

 We used resonant soft x-ray diffraction with circularly polarized light that is sensitive to the noncollinear magnetic state of YNiO3. We observe the noncollinear low temperature state in polycrystalline samples that are free of extrinsic strain-driven effects allowing us to characterize the intrinsic magnetic response of YNiO3. Most importantly, we use an applied electric field to switch the magnetic state, providing a direct confirmation of the ferroelectric-magnetic coupling to finally prove the type II multiferroic nature of this material.  

Implications and future directions:

Our findings confirm the theorized classification of YNiO3 as a type II multiferroic. Our work resolves the long-standing open question of whether multiferroicity is possible in the RNiO3 series and demonstrates a pathway to explore in further depth the nature of the magnetoelectric coupling.

For further details we invite you to read the full paper. We look forward to further discussions and advancements this intriguing area of multiferroic materials.

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Ferroelectrics and Multiferroics
Physical Sciences > Physics and Astronomy > Condensed Matter Physics > Structure of Condensed Matter > Electronic Structure Calculations > Ferroelectrics and Multiferroics
Strongly Correlated Systems
Physical Sciences > Physics and Astronomy > Condensed Matter Physics > Strongly Correlated Systems
X-Ray Diffraction
Physical Sciences > Chemistry > Physical Chemistry > Crystallography and Scattering Methods > Diffraction > X-Ray Diffraction
Magnetism
Physical Sciences > Physics and Astronomy > Condensed Matter Physics > Magnetism

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