Antiferromagnetic and Ferroelectric Phase Transitions and Instabilities in PFW-PT Multiferroic Solid Solution Characterized by Anelastic Measurement

Abstract

Magnetic, electric and mechanical behaviors are strongly coupled, but only a few models are able to describe electro-magneto-mechanical coupling effects. In this work, multiferroic solid solutions between Pb(Fe_2/3W_1/3)O₃ (PFW) and PbTiO₃ (PT) [PFW-PT] have been characterized by anelastic measurements. Anomalies in the temperature dependence of the elastic constants have been observed at T_N and T_C for all samples, indicating that the magnetoelectric coupling (ME) between the ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic orders occurs “via strain.” A phase diagram was established, comparing magnetic and dielectric measurements.

Keywords:

• Multiferroics lead iron tungstate
• ferroelectric
• anelastic

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank FAPESP for the financial support (Proc. 2008/04025-0 and 2010/11187-6) and to Mr. Francisco J. Picon and Mrs. Natalia A. Zanardi for the technical assistance.