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Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
Room Temperature Magnetically Ordered Polar Corundum GaFeO3 Displaying Magnetoelectric Coupling
Hongjun Niu1, Michael J Pitcher1, Alex J Corkett1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool , Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, United Kingdom.
Researchers synthesized a new multiferroic material, gallium iron oxide (GaFeO3), with a polar corundum structure. This material exhibits room-temperature weak ferromagnetism and magnetoelectric coupling, paving the way for novel multiferroic devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid State Physics
- Crystallography
Background:
- Polar corundum structures offer potential for room-temperature multiferroic materials.
- Combining polar cation ordering with magnetic ordering is key for multiferroics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a polar corundum gallium iron oxide (GaFeO3).
- To investigate the origin of its polarity and magnetic properties.
- To demonstrate magnetoelectric coupling for potential device applications.
Main Methods:
- High-pressure, high-temperature synthesis route.
- Neutron, X-ray, and electron diffraction for structural analysis.
- In situ neutron diffraction to observe phase formation.
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations for ordering behavior.
- Magnetization and magnetoelectric coupling measurements.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized polar corundum GaFeO3.
- Polarity confirmed to arise from partial LiNbO3-type cation ordering.
- Fe2O3-like magnetic ordering observed, persisting up to 408 K.
- Demonstrated linear magnetoelectric coupling coefficient of 0.057 ps/m.
Conclusions:
- Polar corundum GaFeO3 is a promising room-temperature multiferroic material.
- Cation ordering is crucial for achieving polarity and is influenced by configurational entropy.
- The demonstrated magnetoelectric coupling is a prerequisite for multiferroic/magnetoelectric device applications.
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