Abstract
How magnetoelectric coupling actually occurs on a microscopic level in multiferroic BiFeO3 is not well known. By using high-resolution single crystal neutron diffraction techniques, we have determined the electric polarization of each individual element of BiFeO3, and concluded that magnetostrictive coupling suppresses the electric polarization at the Fe site below TN. This negative magnetoelectric coupling appears to outweigh the spin current contributions arising from the cycloid spin structure, which should produce positive magnetoelectric coupling.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 060103 |
Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
Volume | 88 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 21 Aug 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics