Dielectric and polarization studies of magnetoelectric coupling in non-relaxor Pb(Fe_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃ multiferroic ceramics

ABSTRACT

Dielectric permittivity ϵ and polarization / electric field hysteresis loops of highly-resistive Li-doped non-relaxor Pb(Fe_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃ ceramics obtained by one-step sintering of the mechanically activated mixture of starting oxides and Li₂CO₃ have been studied. Antiferromagnetic phase transition temperature T_N ≈ 150 K was determined using Mossbauer spectroscopy studies at different temperatures. Though no anomalies in ϵ(T) curve at T_N were observed, 1/ϵ(T) dependence exhibits change of the slope in the vicinity of T_N. Anomalies in the temperature dependences of coercive field E_C and derivative of the spontaneous polarization P_S are observed near T_N as well. These anomalies are attributed to magnetoelectric coupling.

KEYWORDS:

• Lead iron tantalate
• PFT
• dielectric permittivity
• phase transition
• hysteresis loops
• magnetoelectric coupling

Funding

This study was partially supported by the Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation (research project 3.1649.2017/PP) and Research Committee of the University of Macau (Research & Development Grant for Chair Professor No. RDG007/FST-CHD/2012). AAG and VPI acknowledge support by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research under the project 17–03–01293.