Observation of a multiferroic critical end point

Abstract

The study of abrupt increases in magnetization with magnetic field known as metamagnetic transitions has opened a rich vein of new physics in itinerant electron systems, including the discovery of quantum critical end points with a marked propensity to develop new kinds of order. However, the electric analogue of the metamagnetic critical end point, a "metaelectric" critical end point has not yet been realized. Multiferroic materials wherein magnetism and ferroelectricity are cross-coupled are ideal candidates for the exploration of this novel possibility using magnetic-field (\emph{H}) as a tuning parameter. Herein, we report the discovery of a magnetic-field-induced metaelectric transition in multiferroic BiMn${}_2$O${}_5$ in which the electric polarization (\emph{P}) switches polarity along with a concomitant Mn spin-flop transition at a critical magnetic field \emph{H}${}_{\mathrm{c}}$. The simultaneous metaelectric and spin-flop transitions become sharper upon cooling, but remain a continuous crossover even down to 0.5 K. Near the \emph{P}=0 line realized at ${\mu }_0$\emph{H}${}_{\mathrm{c}}$$\approx$18 T below 20 K, the dielectric constant ($\epsilon$) increases significantly over wide field- and temperature (\emph{T})-ranges. Furthermore, a characteristic power-law behavior is found in the \emph{P}(\emph{H}) and $\epsilon$(\emph{H}) curves at \emph{T}=0.66 K. These findings indicate that a magnetic-field-induced metaelectric critical end point is realized in BiMn${}_2$O${}_5$ near zero temperature.

6 pages, 3 figures

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• Extraordinarily large intrinsic magnetodielectric coupling of Tb member within the Haldane spin-chain family, R2BaNiO5
• Domain dynamics in the multiferroic phase of MnWO4
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• Theory of quantum paraelectrics and the metaelectric transition
• Collinear order and chirality-reorientation transition in the Cairo pentagonal magnet Bi${}_4$Fe${}_5$O${}_{13}$F
• Magnetic Structural Unit with Convex Geometry: a Building Block Hosting an Exchange-striction-driven Magnetoelectric Coupling
• Strong magnetoelastic effect on the magnetoelectric phenomena of TbMn${}_2$O${}_5$
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• Domain dynamics in LiCuVO${}_4$: Evidence for polarized nanoregions
• Quantum critical behavior of a magnetic quantum paraelectric
• Observation of universal topological magnetoelectric switching in multiferroic GdMn2O5
• Feasibility of a metamagnetic transition in correlated systems