Dresden 2009 – scientific programme

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MA: Fachverband Magnetismus

MA 38: Multiferroics

MA 38.14: Talk

Thursday, March 26, 2009, 18:45–19:00, HSZ 103

Controlled manipulation and coupling of domains in a spin spiral multiferroic — •Dennis Meier¹, Michael Maringer¹, Naëmi Leo¹, Thomas Lottermoser¹, Petra Becker², Ladislav Bohatý², and Manfred Fiebig¹ — ¹HISKP, Universität Bonn — ²Institut für Kristallographie, Universität zu Köln

The intrinsically strong cross coupling between magnetism and ferroelectricity in spin spiral multiferroics suggests these systems as prime candidates for novel multifunctional devices. Comprehension and controlling of the correlated antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferroelectric (FE) domain structures by external fields is an indispensible prerequisite for future device design. However, very few is know about the domain topology and switching of AFM spin spirals and the magnetically induced FE domains. Here we discuss the correlation of AFM domains and FE domains under external electric and magnetic fields in the spin spiral multiferroic MnWO₄. Correlations are revealed by optical second harmonic generation. Electric fields are used to uniquely control the magnetic domain structure, leading to an E-field driven hysteresis of the magnetic order parameter. Application of a magnetic field allows to conceal a ferroelectrically stored information, which re-emerges as the field is removed. This work is supported by the DFG through SFB 608.