Pressure effect on ferroelectricity of multiferroic Ho$_{0.5}$Nd$_{0.5}$Fe$_{3}$(BO$_{3}$)$_{4}$

ORAL

Abstract

Ho$_{0.5}$Nd$_{0.5}$Fe$_{3}$(BO$_{3}$)$_{4}$ becomes multiferroic below 33 K where it enters into the AFM1 phase and gives rise to a ferroelectric polarization along the a-axis. At 9.5 K, the polarization drops sharply and remains finite value of $\sim$ 40 $\mu$C/m$^2$. This is due to the spin rotation from the a-b plane into the c-axis and gives rise to the AFM2 phase. The application of pressure suppresses the AFM2 phase and moves the spin rotation transition from 9.5 K to 4.8 K up to pressure of 18.8 kbar which is observed in both dielectric and pyroelectric measurements. The change in magnetic anisotropy of rare-earth moments and Fe ions under pressure drives the spin rotation transition of rare-earth at lower temperature.

*DOE, the AFOSR, the T.L.L Temple Foundation, the J.J. and R. Moores Endowment, and the State of Texas (TCSUH)

Authors

  • Narayan Poudel

    • TcSUH and Department of Physics, University of Houston
  • Melissa Gooch

    • Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston
    • TcSUH and Department of Physics, University of Houston
  • Bernd Lorenz

    • TcSUH and Department of Physics, University of Houston
  • L. N. Bezmaternykh

    • Institute of Physics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences
  • L. N. Bezmaternykh

    • Institute of Physics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences
  • C. W. Chu

    • Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
    • TCSUH and Department of Physics, University of Houston
    • Texas Center for Superconductivity & Department of Physics, University of Houston, TX, USA
    • Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston
    • TcSUH and Department of Physics, University of Houston, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA