title: Magnetic digital flop of ferroelectric domain with fixed spin chirality in a triangular lattice helimagnet.
abstract: The ferroelectric properties in a magnetic field (H) of varying magnitude and direction have been investigated for the triangular-lattice helimagnet CuFe(1-x)Ga(x)O(2) (x = 0.035). The in-plane H was found to induce the rearrangement of six possible multiferroic domains. Upon every 60 degrees rotation of in-plane H around the c axis, a unique 120 degrees flop of electric polarization occurs as a result of the switch of the helical magnetic q vector. The chirality of the spin helix is always conserved upon the q flop. The possible origin is discussed in light of the stable structure of the multiferroic domain wall.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Physics, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murakawa
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Onose
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tokura