Abstract
First-principles calculations are presented for the layered perovskite . The results reveal a rich set of coupled structural, magnetic, and polar domains in which oxygen octahedron rotations induce ferroelectricity, magnetoelectricity, and weak ferromagnetism. The key point is that the rotation distortion is a combination of two nonpolar modes with different symmetries. We use the term “hybrid” improper ferroelectricity to describe this phenomenon and discuss how control over magnetism is achieved through these functional antiferrodistortive octahedron rotations.
- Received 11 December 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.107204
© 2011 American Physical Society
Viewpoint
Twisting and turning towards new multiferroics
Published 7 March 2011
Controlling the rotation and tilt of oxygen octahedra in perovskite structures provides a new route towards room-temperature multiferroics.
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