Magnetically induced electric polarization reversal in multiferroic TbMn${}_2$O${}_5$: Terbium spin reorientation studied by resonant x-ray diffraction

Abstract

In multiferroic TbMn${}_2$O${}_5$, the behavior of the terbium ions forms a crucial part of the magneto-electric coupling. The result is a magnetically induced reversal of the electric polarization at 2 T. In this article we present the first direct measurement of the terbium magnetic structure under applied magnetic fields. Contrary to the current interpretation of the magnetic properties of \tmo, we show that upon the electric polarization reversal the terbium sub-lattice adopts a canted antiferromagnetic structure with a large component of magnetic moment parallel to the \textit{a}-axis. Furthermore, we provide evidence for a coupling between the manganese 3d magnetic structure and the terbium $4f$ magnetism, which is of great significance in the elusive magneto-electric mechanisms at play.

4 pages, 3 figures

References in corpus (5)

• Spin structure and magnetic frustration in multiferroic RMn2O5 (R = Tb, Ho, Dy)
• A Neutron diffraction study of multiferroics RMn2O5
• Non-resonant and Resonant X-ray Scattering Studies on Multiferroic TbMn2O5
• Antiferromagnetically spin polarized oxygen observed in magneto-electric TbMn2O5
• Determination of magnetic order of the rare-earth ions in multiferroic TbMn2O5

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Independent ferroelectric contributions and rare-earth-induced polarization reversal in multiferroic TbMn2O5
• The Magnetic Structure of DyMn2O5 Determined by Resonant X-ray Scattering
• Reversing ferroelectric polarization in multiferroic DyMn2O5 by nonmagnetic Al substitution of Mn
• Direct Visualization of Spatial inhomogeneity of Spin Stripes Order in La1.72Sr0.28NiO4
• An x-ray diffraction study of the temperature-induced structural phase transitions in SmVO3