Local magneto-electric response of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> investigated with spin polarized positive muons

ORAL

Abstract

The bulk properties of the prototypical linear magneto-electric antiferromagnet Cr2O3 have been extensively studied. Here, we report on a muon spin rotation (μSR) study using spin polarized muons to probe the local magneto-electric response in order to investigate magnetoelectricity on a microscopic level. We find that the muon, a light interstitial probe, occupies several distinct stopping sites in Cr2O3, and displays a rich dynamic behavior that we interpret in the context of local muon hopping and thermally activated site transitions. Furthermore, when Cr2O3 is prepared in a single magnetic domain, a shift in the local magnetic field is observed in response to an applied electric field, with the sign of the shift depending both on the field direction and domain state. The origin of this apparent magneto-electric effect is discussed.

*NSERC Canada and Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute

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Presenters

  • Martin Dehn

    • Department of Physics & Astronomy and Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia

Authors

  • Martin Dehn

    • Department of Physics & Astronomy and Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia

  • Donald J Arseneau

    • TRIUMF

  • Sarah R Dunsiger

    • TRIUMF

  • Bassam Hitti

    • TRIUMF

  • Stefan Holenstein

    • Laboratory for Muon Spin Spectroscopy, Paul Scherrer Institut
    • Physik-Institut, Universität Zürich

  • Michael Fechner

    • Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter

  • Hubertus Luetkens

    • Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
    • Laboratory for Muon Spin Spectroscopy, Paul Scherrer Institute
    • Paul Scherrer Institut

  • W Andrew MacFarlane

    • Departament of Chemistry, University of British Columbia
    • Chemistry, University of British Columbia
    • Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia

  • Ryan M. L. McFadden

    • Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia

  • Quintin N Meier

    • Department of Materials, ETH Zürich

  • Gerald D Morris

    • Center for Molecular and Materials Science, TRIUMF, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A3, Canada
    • Physical Sciences Division, TRIUMF
    • TRIUMF
    • TRIUMF, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2A3, Canada.

  • Zaher Salman

    • Laboratory for Muon Spin Spectroscopy, Paul Scherrer Institut
    • Laboratory for Muon Spin Spectroscopy, Paul Scherrer Institute
    • Paul Scherrer Institut

  • Nicola Spaldin

    • ETH Zurich
    • Materials Theory, ETH Zürich
    • Department of Materials, ETH Zürich

  • Robert F Kiefl

    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia
    • Department of Physics & Astronomy and Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia