Magnetic Field Dependent Changes in the Local Structure of ReMn$_{2}$O$_{5}$

The low temperature structure of ReMn$_{2}$O$_{5}$ systems has been studied by x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Temperature dependent measurements indicate that Re-O correlations play an important role in the low temperature properties. While no variation in the Mn-O distribution is observed with magnetic fields, we find evidence for direct coupling of the Re-O distribution to an external magnetic field. The results suggest that polarization of the Re-O bonds may contribute significantly to magnetic field induced electrical polarization. This work is supported by DOE Grant DE-FG02-07ER46402.