By using broadband linear and nonlinear dielectric spectroscopy we studied the magnetoelectric dynamics in the chiral antiferromagnet MnWO4. In the multiferroic phase the dielectric response is dominated by the dynamics of domains and domain walls which is strongly dependent on the stimulating electric field. The mean switching time reaches values in the minute range in the middle of the multiferroic temperature regime at T=10 K but unexpectedly decays again on approaching the lower, first-order phase boundary at T_N1=7.6K. The switchability of the ferroelectric domains denotes a pinning-induced threshold and can be described considering a growth-limited scenario with an effective growth dimension of d=1.8. The rise of the effective dynamical coercive field on cooling below the TN2 is much stronger compared to the usual ferroelectrics and can be described by a power law E_c ~{ u}^1/2. The latter questions the feasibility of fast-switching devices based on this type of material.
We report the multiferroic behaviour of MnWO$_4$, a magnetic oxide with monoclinic crystal structure and spiral long-range magnetic order. Based upon recent theoretical predictions MnWO$_4$ should exhibit ferroelectric polarization coexisting with the proper magnetic structure. We have confirmed the multiferroic state below 13 K by observing a finite electrical polarization in the magnetically ordered state via pyroelectric current measurements.
We report the dielectric dispersion of the giant magnetocapacitance (GMC) in multiferroic DyMnO$_{3}$ over a wide frequency range. The GMC is found to be attributable not to the softened electromagnon but to the electric-field-driven motion of multiferroic domain wall (DW). In contrast to conventional ferroelectric DWs, the present multiferroic DW motion holds extremely high relaxation rate of $sim$$10^{7}$ s$^{-1}$ even at low temperatures. This mobile nature as well as the model simulation suggests that the multiferroic DW is not atomically thin as in ferroelectrics but thick, reflecting its magnetic origin.
Recent discovery of Skyrmion crystal phase in insulating multiferroic compound Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$ calls for new ways and ideas to manipulate the Skyrmions in the absence of spin transfer torque from the conduction electrons. It is shown here that the position-dependent electric field, pointed along the direction of the average induced dipole moment of the Skyrmion, can induce the Hall motion of Skyrmion with its velocity orthogonal to the field gradient. Finite Gilbert damping produces longitudinal motion. We find a rich variety of resonance modes excited by a.c. electric field.
Soft x-ray absorption experiments on the transition metal L2,3 edge of multiferroic MnWO4 and antiferromagnetic CoWO4 are presented. The observed linear polarization dependence, analyzed by full-multiplet calculations, is used to determine the ground state wave function of the magnetic Mn2+ and Co2+ ions. The impact of the local structure and the spin-orbit coupling on the orbital moment is discussed in terms of the single-ion anisotropy. It is shown that the orbital moment in CoWO4 is responsible for the collinear antiferromagnetism, while the small size of spin-orbit coupling effects make spiral magnetic order in MnWO4 possible, enabling the material to be multiferroic.
We report the discovery of a complete suppression of ferroelectricity in $MnWO_4$ by 10 % iron substitution and its restoration in external magnetic fields. The spontaneous polarization in $Mn_{0.9}Fe_{0.1}WO_4$ arises below 12 K in external fields above 4 T. The magnetic/ferroelectric phase diagram is constructed from the anomalies of the dielectric constant, polarization, magnetization, and heat capacity. The observations are qualitatively described by a mean field model with competing interactions and strong anisotropy. We propose that the magnetic field induces a non-collinear inversion symmetry breaking magnetic structure in $Mn_{0.9}Fe_{0.1}WO_4$.