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Spin-lattice coupling, frustration, and magnetic order in multiferroic RMnO3
X Fabrèges1, S Petit, I Mirebeau
1Laboratoire Léon Brillouin, CEA-CNRS, CE-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Physical Review Letters
|October 2, 2009
Summary
Strong magnetoelastic coupling in frustrated multiferroic hexagonal RMnO3 compounds is linked to Mn ion position. This critical atomic arrangement dictates magnetic structure and spin wave behavior across various R ions and temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Materials science
- Magnetism
Background:
- Frustrated multiferroic hexagonal compounds (RMnO3) exhibit complex magnetic and structural properties.
- Understanding the interplay between magnetism and lattice structure is crucial for these materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between atomic positions, magnetic structure, and spin wave dynamics in RMnO3 compounds.
- To identify the key structural parameter governing magnetoelastic coupling in this material family.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution neutron diffraction experiments.
- Inelastic neutron scattering experiments.
Main Results:
- Evidence of strong magnetoelastic coupling across the RMnO3 family.
- Correlation established between atomic positions, magnetic structure, and spin wave nature.
- Mn ion position relative to 1/3 in the unit cell identified as a critical parameter.
Conclusions:
- The position of Mn ions is a key determinant of the coupling between Mn triangular planes in RMnO3.
- This finding provides a unified understanding of magnetic and structural properties in these frustrated multiferroics.
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