Magnetic digital flop of ferroelectric domain with fixed spin chirality in a triangular lattice helimagnet.
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.
Seki
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Department of Applied Physics, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Murakawa
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H
Onose
Y
Y
Tokura
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Y