Duality of topological defects in hexagonal manganites
Journal
Physical Review Letters
Journal Volume
113
Journal Issue
26
Pages
267602-1 - 267602-5
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Huang, F.-T.
Wang, X.
Griffin, S.M.
Kumagai, Y.
Gindele, O.
Horibe, Y.
Spaldin, N.A.
Cheong, S.-W.
Abstract
We show that the spontaneous symmetry breaking in multiferroic hexagonal manganites can be chemically manipulated to yield two complementary ground states: the well-known ferroelectric P6(3)cm and an antipolar P3c phase. Both symmetry breakings yield topologically protected vortex defects, with the antipolar vortices dual to those of the ferroelectric. This duality stems from the existence of 12 possible angles of MnO5 tilting, and broad strain-free walls with low energy spontaneously emerge through an intermediate P3c1 state, providing a complete unified symmetry description.
SDGs
Publisher
American Physical Society
Type
journal article