Pressure-induced insulator-metal transition in EuMnO3
R Qiu1,2, E Bousquet2, A Cano1
1CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, ICMCB, UPR 9048, F-33600 Pessac, France.
Summary
External pressure transforms EuMnO3 from an insulator to a metal, switching its magnetic order. This enables a novel pathway towards creating ferroelectric-like metals.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Materials science
- Solid-state chemistry
Background:
- Europium manganite (EuMnO3) exhibits complex electronic and magnetic properties.
- Understanding pressure effects is crucial for tuning material functionalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of external pressure on EuMnO3's electronic and magnetic structure.
- Explore the potential for pressure-induced phase transitions and novel material properties.
Main Methods:
- First-principles calculations were employed to simulate material behavior.
- Analysis focused on electronic band structure, magnetic ordering, and lattice distortions.
Main Results:
- A pressure-induced insulator-to-metal transition was observed.
- Magnetic order shifted from A-type antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic.
- Jahn-Teller distortions were found to strongly influence the transition.
- Near-degeneracy between ferromagnetic and E*-type antiferromagnetic states emerged in the metallic phase.
Conclusions:
- External pressure can effectively tune the electronic and magnetic properties of EuMnO3.
- The findings suggest a route to achieving non-centrosymmetric (ferroelectric-like) metals via magnetic control.
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