Ferroelectrically induced weak ferromagnetism by design.
We present a strategy to design structures for which a polar lattice distortion induces weak ferromagnetism. We identify a large class of multiferroic oxides as potential realizations and use density-functional theory to screen several promising candidates. By elucidating the interplay between the polarization and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya vector, we show how the direction of the magnetization can be switched between 180 degrees symmetry equivalent states with an applied electric field.
Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
Craig J
CJ
Fennie