Nature of the magnetic order and origin of induced ferroelectricity in TbMnO3.
The magnetic structures which endow TbMnO(3) with its multiferroic properties have been reassessed on the basis of a comprehensive soft x-ray resonant scattering (XRS) study. The selectivity of XRS facilitated separation of the various contributions (Mn L(2) edge, Mn 3d moments; Tb M(4) edge, Tb 4f moments), while its variation with azimuth provided information on the moment direction of distinct Fourier components. When the data are combined with a detailed group theory analysis, a new picture emerges of the ferroelectric transition at 28 K. Instead of being driven by the transition from a collinear to a noncollinear magnetic structure, as has previously been supposed, it is shown to occur between two noncollinear structures.
Wilkins
S B
SB
Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, New York 11973-5000, USA.
Forrest
T R
TR
Beale
T A W
TA
Bland
S R
SR
Walker
H C
HC
Mannix
D
D
Yakhou
F
F
Prabhakaran
D
D
Boothroyd
A T
AT
Hill
J P
JP
Hatton
P D
PD
McMorrow
D F
DF