Strong coupling of magnetic and dielectric properties in the a -axis-oriented orthorhombic HoMnO3 films
Journal
Applied Physics Letters
Journal Volume
94
Journal Issue
8
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Han, T. C.
Abstract
High quality orthorhombic (OT) HoMnO3 (HMO) thin films with a-axis perpendicular to the film surface are grown on SrTiO3(110) substrates with the method of pulsed laser deposition. The structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties of OT-HMO films are measured. The temperature-dependent magnetization clearly displays an antiferromagnetic ordering near 44 K. Following, the lock-in transition from incommensurate to commensurate antiferromagnetic state is observed at 26 K with the applied field parallel to a-axis. At the same temperature, the dielectric constant rises abruptly, prevailing a strong coupling between the magnetic structure and the electric polarization as predicted for the E-phase multiferroic compounds.
Type
journal article