Stability of spin-driven ferroelectricity in the thin-film limit: Coupling of magnetic and electric order in multiferroic TbMnO sub(3) films

We demonstrate spin-spiral-induced ferroelectricity in epitaxial TbMnO sub(3) films grown on YAlO sub(3) substrates down to a film thickness of 6nm. The ferroelectric polarization is identified by optical second-harmonic generation. Using x-ray resonant magnetic scattering we directly prove the exis...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials physics Condensed matter and materials physics, 2013-08, Vol.88 (5)
Main Authors: Glavic, Artur, Becher, Carsten, Voigt, Jorg, Schierle, Enrico, Weschke, Eugen, Fiebig, Manfred, Bruckel, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter
Epitaxial growth
Ferroelectric materials
Ferroelectricity
Film thickness
Joining
Magnetic domains
Polarization
Thin films
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We demonstrate spin-spiral-induced ferroelectricity in epitaxial TbMnO sub(3) films grown on YAlO sub(3) substrates down to a film thickness of 6nm. The ferroelectric polarization is identified by optical second-harmonic generation. Using x-ray resonant magnetic scattering we directly prove the existence of a noncollinear magnetic structure in the ferroelectric phase and thus bulk-like multiferroicity. The electric-field-induced reversal of the magnetic domains along with the reversal of the ferroelectric polarization evidences the rigid coupling of magnetic and ferroelectric order and hence a "giant" magnetoelectric effect in the films.
ISSN:1098-0121
1550-235X