Observation of Magnetoelectric Multiferroicity in a Cubic Perovskite System: LaMn(3)Cr(4)O(12).
Magnetoelectric multiferroicity is not expected to occur in a cubic perovskite system because of the high structural symmetry. By versatile measurements in magnetization, dielectric constant, electric polarization, neutron and x-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, as well as theoretical calculations, we reveal that the A-site ordered perovskite LaMn(3)Cr(4)O(12) with cubic symmetry is a novel spin-driven multiferroic system with strong magnetoelectric coupling effects. When a magnetic field is applied in parallel (perpendicular) to an electric field, the ferroelectric polarization can be enhanced (suppressed) significantly. The unique multiferroic phenomenon observed in this cubic perovskite cannot be understood by conventional spin-driven microscopic mechanisms. Instead, a nontrivial effect involving the interactions between two magnetic sublattices is likely to play a crucial role.
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.|Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing 100190, China.
Xiao
X
Wang
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Yisheng
Y
Chai
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Long
L
Zhou
Quantum Condensed Matter Division, Neutron Scattering Science Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
Huibo
H
Cao
Quantum Condensed Matter Division, Neutron Scattering Science Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
Clarina-Dela
CD
Cruz
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Junye
J
Yang
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Jianhong
J
Dai
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Yunyu
Y
Yin
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Zhen
Z
Yuan
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Sijia
S
Zhang
Materials and Structures Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
Runze
R
Yu
Materials and Structures Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
Masaki
M
Azuma
Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
Yuichi
Y
Shimakawa
Department of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
Huimin
H
Zhang
Department of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
Shuai
S
Dong
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Young
Y
Sun
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.|Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing 100190, China.
Changqing
C
Jin
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.|Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing 100190, China.
Youwen
Y
Long