Hidden orders and (anti-)magnetoelectric effects in Cr_{2}O_{3} and α-Fe_{2}O_{3}

We present ab initio calculations of hidden magnetoelectric multipolar order in Cr_{2}O_{3} and its iron-based analog, α-Fe_{2}O_{3}. First, we discuss the connection between the order of such hidden multipoles and the linear magnetoelectric effect. Next we show the presence of hidden antiferroicall...

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Main Authors: Xanthe H. Verbeek, Andrea Urru, Nicola A. Spaldin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2023-11-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.L042018
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author Xanthe H. Verbeek
Andrea Urru
Nicola A. Spaldin
author_facet Xanthe H. Verbeek
Andrea Urru
Nicola A. Spaldin
author_sort Xanthe H. Verbeek
collection DOAJ
description We present ab initio calculations of hidden magnetoelectric multipolar order in Cr_{2}O_{3} and its iron-based analog, α-Fe_{2}O_{3}. First, we discuss the connection between the order of such hidden multipoles and the linear magnetoelectric effect. Next we show the presence of hidden antiferroically ordered magnetoelectric multipoles in both the prototypical magnetoelectric material Cr_{2}O_{3} and centrosymmetric α-Fe_{2}O_{3}, which has the same crystal structure as Cr_{2}O_{3} but a different magnetic dipolar ordering. In turn, we predict antimagnetoelectric effects, in which local magnetic dipole moments are induced in opposite directions under the application of an uniform external electric field to create an additional antiferromagnetic ordering. We confirm the predicted induced moments using first-principles calculations. Our results demonstrate the existence of hidden magnetoelectric multipoles leading to local linear magnetoelectric responses even in centrosymmetric magnetic materials, where a net bulk linear magnetoelectric effect is forbidden by symmetry, and broaden the definition of magnetoelectric materials by including those showing such local magnetoelectric responses.
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spelling doaj.art-c21c1ec0693e42088c7c04ce7a0f28812024-04-12T17:35:38ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642023-11-0154L04201810.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.L042018Hidden orders and (anti-)magnetoelectric effects in Cr_{2}O_{3} and α-Fe_{2}O_{3}Xanthe H. VerbeekAndrea UrruNicola A. SpaldinWe present ab initio calculations of hidden magnetoelectric multipolar order in Cr_{2}O_{3} and its iron-based analog, α-Fe_{2}O_{3}. First, we discuss the connection between the order of such hidden multipoles and the linear magnetoelectric effect. Next we show the presence of hidden antiferroically ordered magnetoelectric multipoles in both the prototypical magnetoelectric material Cr_{2}O_{3} and centrosymmetric α-Fe_{2}O_{3}, which has the same crystal structure as Cr_{2}O_{3} but a different magnetic dipolar ordering. In turn, we predict antimagnetoelectric effects, in which local magnetic dipole moments are induced in opposite directions under the application of an uniform external electric field to create an additional antiferromagnetic ordering. We confirm the predicted induced moments using first-principles calculations. Our results demonstrate the existence of hidden magnetoelectric multipoles leading to local linear magnetoelectric responses even in centrosymmetric magnetic materials, where a net bulk linear magnetoelectric effect is forbidden by symmetry, and broaden the definition of magnetoelectric materials by including those showing such local magnetoelectric responses.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.L042018
spellingShingle Xanthe H. Verbeek
Andrea Urru
Nicola A. Spaldin
Hidden orders and (anti-)magnetoelectric effects in Cr_{2}O_{3} and α-Fe_{2}O_{3}
Physical Review Research
title Hidden orders and (anti-)magnetoelectric effects in Cr_{2}O_{3} and α-Fe_{2}O_{3}
title_full Hidden orders and (anti-)magnetoelectric effects in Cr_{2}O_{3} and α-Fe_{2}O_{3}
title_fullStr Hidden orders and (anti-)magnetoelectric effects in Cr_{2}O_{3} and α-Fe_{2}O_{3}
title_full_unstemmed Hidden orders and (anti-)magnetoelectric effects in Cr_{2}O_{3} and α-Fe_{2}O_{3}
title_short Hidden orders and (anti-)magnetoelectric effects in Cr_{2}O_{3} and α-Fe_{2}O_{3}
title_sort hidden orders and anti magnetoelectric effects in cr 2 o 3 and α fe 2 o 3
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.L042018
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