Magnetoelectricity in the system $RA{l}_3(B{O}_3{)}_4$ ($R$ = Tb, Ho, Er, Tm)

Abstract

The magnetoelectric effect in the system $RA{l}_3(B{O}_3{)}_4$ ($R$ = Tb, Ho, Er, Tm) is investigated between 3 K and room temperature and at magnetic fields up to 70 kOe. We show a systematic increase of the magnetoelectric effect with decreasing magnetic anisotropy of the rare earth moment. A giant magnetoelectric polarization is found in the magnetically (nearly) isotropic $HoA{l}_3(B{O}_3{)}_4$. The polarization value in transverse field geometry at 70 kOe reaches 3600 $\mu C/m^2$ which is significantly higher than reported values for the field-induced polarization of linear magnetoelectric or even multiferroic compounds. The results indicate a very strong coupling of the f-moments to the lattice. They further indicate the importance of the field-induced ionic displacements in the unit cell resulting in a polar distortion and a change in symmetry on a microscopic scale. The system $RA{l}_3(B{O}_3{)}_4$ could be interesting for the technological utilization of the high-field magnetoelectric effect.

6 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (4)

• Giant Magnetoelectric Effect in HoAl_3(BO_3)_4
• Magnetoelectric Effect and Spontaneous Polarization in HoFe${}_3$(BO${}_3$)${}_4$ and Ho${}_{0.5}$Nd${}_{0.5}$Fe${}_3$(BO${}_3$)${}_4$
• Magnetic Field Effect and Dielectric Anomalies at the Spin Reorientation Phase Transition of GdFe3(BO3)4
• Magnetoelectricity and Magnetostriction due to the Rare Earth Moment in TmAl${}_3$(BO${}_3$)${}_4$

Cited by in corpus (1)

• Quantum versus classical nature of a low-temperature magnetic phase transition in TbAl${}_3$(BO${}_3$)${}_4$