Magnetoelectric effect in antiferromagnetic multiferroic Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2

Abstract

Antiferromagnets (AFMs) are presently considered as promising materials for applications in spintronics and random access memories due to the robustness of information stored in AFM state against perturbing magnetic fields (P. Wadley et al., Science 351, 587 (2016)). In this respect, AFM multiferroics maybe attractive alternatives for conventional AFMs as the coupling of magnetism with ferroelectricity (magnetoelectric effect) offers an elegant possibility of electric field control and switching of AFM domains. Here we report the results of comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigations of the quadratic magnetoelectric (ME) effect in single crystals and high-resistive ceramics of Pb(Fe 1/2 Nb 1/2 )O 3 (PFN) and (1-x)Pb(Fe 1/2 Nb 1/2 )O 3 −xPbTiO 3 (PFN−xPT). We are interested primarily in the temperature range of multiferroic phase, T < 150 K, where the ME coupling coefficient is extremely large (as compared to well-known multiferroic BiFeO 3 ) and shows sign reversal at paramagnetic-to-antiferromagnetic phase transition. Moreover, we observe strong ME response nonlinearity in the AFM phase in the magnetic fields of only few kOe. To describe the temperature and magnetic field dependencies of the above unusual features of ME effect in PFN and PFN-xPT, we use simple phenomenological Landau approach which explains experimental data surprisingly well. Our ME measurements demonstrate that the electric field of only 20-25 kV/cm is able to switch the AFM domains and align them with ferroelectric ones even in PFN ceramic samples.

Giant Magnetoelectric Response in Multiferroics with Coexistence of Superparamagnetic and Ferroelectric Phases at Room Temperature

“…The authors of Refs. [11,14] investigated the solid solution (PbFe 1/2 Nb 1/2 O 3 ) (PbTiO 3 ) 1− (PFN-PT). The structure, properties, and phase diagram of PFN are similar to those of PFT.…”

Electrophysical properties of the multiferroic PFN–ferrite composites obtained by spark plasma sintering and classical technology

“…The composites were obtained via Spark Plasma Sintering method and classical technology. PbFe 1/2 Nb 1/2 O 3 (PFN) material which represents ferroelectromagnetic properties, has a perovskite-type structure with a general formula of ABO 3 , where Pb ions locates in the A positions, while Fe and Nb ions randomly occupy B positions [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. The magnetic properties were provided by nickel-zinc soft ferrite with the chemical composition of NiZnFeO4.…”

Временные зависимости диэлектрических и акустических свойств в монокристаллах PbFe-=SUB=-0.5-=/SUB=-Nb-=SUB=-0.5-=/SUB=-O-=SUB=-3-=/SUB=- и PbFe-=SUB=-0.5-=/SUB=-Nb-=SUB=-0.5-=/SUB=-O-=SUB=-3-=/SUB=---7PbTiO-=SUB=-3-=/SUB=-

“…Этот интерес обусловлен, прежде всего, надеждой найти материалы, которые могут быть использованы для преобразования магнитного сигнала в электрический и наоборот. Среди возможных кандидатов для таких применений наиболее перспективными представляются бинарные соединения со структурой перовскита PbFe 0.5 Nb 0.5 O 3 (PFN) и твердые растворы на их основе [1][2][3].…”

“…Недавно было обнаружено, что величина магнитоэлектрических коэффициентов при комнатной температуре в высокорезистивной керамике PFN и некоторых твердых растворов PFN−xPbTiO 3 (PFN−xPT) на порядок больше, чем в наиболее изученном мультиферроике BiFeO 3 [3]. Кроме того, PFN имеет высокую диэлектрическую проницаемость (ε > 10000), размытый фазовый переход и низкую температуру синтеза, что очень важно для использования их в многослойных керамических конденсаторах и других электронных устройствах.…”