Magnetoelectric effect and rare earth magnetic ordering of ErMnO₃

Abstract

We made dielectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric studies of a hexagonal ErMnO₃. Our purpose is to make clear the magnetic-electric interaction phenomena expected in this oxide with both electric and magnetic long range ordering.

The magnetic-electric interaction was demonstrated as the anomalies of dielectric constant along the polar axis at magnetic transitions. An additional spontaneous polarization and a large magnetoelectric effect were detected at low temperatures where a long range ordering of Er³⁺ moments was present.

Key Words:

• Magnetic-electric interaction
• magnetoelectric effect
• ferroelectricity
• triangular magnetic structure
• rare earth manganese oxide
• ErMnO₃