The incommensurate magnetic structure of YMn2O5: a stringent test of the multiferroic mechanism

We have determined the magnetic structure of the low-temperature incommensurate phase of multiferroic YMn2O5 using single-crystal neutron diffraction. By employing corepresentation analysis, we have ensured full compliance with both symmetry and physical constraints, so that the electrical polarizat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Radaelli, P, Vecchini, C, Chapon, L, Brown, P, Park, S, Cheong, S
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2008
Description
Summary:We have determined the magnetic structure of the low-temperature incommensurate phase of multiferroic YMn2O5 using single-crystal neutron diffraction. By employing corepresentation analysis, we have ensured full compliance with both symmetry and physical constraints, so that the electrical polarization must lie along the b axis, as observed. The evolution of the spin components and propagation through the commensurate-incommensurate phase boundary points unambiguously at the exchange-striction mechanism as the primary driving force for ferroelectricity.