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Cupric oxide as an induced-multiferroic with high-TC
T Kimura1, Y Sekio, H Nakamura
1Division of Materials Physics, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan. kimura@mp.es.osaka-u.ac.jp
Nature Materials
|February 26, 2008
Summary
Researchers discovered high-temperature ferroelectricity in cupric oxide (CuO). This finding advances the search for advanced magnetoelectric multiferroics operating at warmer temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Solid State Chemistry
Background:
- Magnetoelectric multiferroics exhibit coupled electric and magnetic dipole order.
- Induced-multiferroics leverage non-collinear spiral magnetic order to break inversion symmetry and induce ferroelectricity.
- Existing induced-multiferroics typically exhibit ferroelectricity below 40 K due to competing magnetic interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify candidate materials for high-temperature induced-multiferroics.
- To investigate copper(II) oxides, specifically cupric oxide (CuO), for their potential as high-Curie temperature (T(C)) induced-multiferroics.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical proposal based on large magnetic superexchange interactions in copper(II) oxides.
- Experimental demonstration of ferroelectricity in cupric oxide (CuO).
Main Results:
- Ferroelectricity was successfully demonstrated in cupric oxide (CuO, tenorite).
- The observed ferroelectricity exhibits a high Curie temperature (T(C)) of 230 K.
- CuO is a known precursor for high-T(c) superconductor synthesis.
Conclusions:
- Cupric oxide (CuO) is a promising candidate for high-temperature induced-multiferroics.
- The discovery of ferroelectricity at 230 K in CuO significantly contributes to the field of high-temperature magnetoelectric multiferroics.
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