Magneto-electric effect and solid state physics

Abstract

A bird's eye view of the possibility of the magneto-electric effect in solid state physics is attempted, on the basis of experiments accumulated during the past 30 years. Aspects of the magneto-electric effect, providing unique information in solid state physics, are described. There are a few phenomena, such as antiferromagnetic domain structure, development of the antiferromagnetic susceptibility in the paramagnetic state of an antiferromagnet, etc., that can be observed easily and controlled only by means of the magneto-electric effect. The study is not restricted to perfect crystals. Other systems such as defects in magnetically ordered transition metal compounds can be investigated. Quantitative understanding of the mechanisms will give deeper insight into magnetic properties of materials. The discussion of these topics is illustrated with a few examples.