The magnetoelectric effect in the system $RAl_3(BO_3)_4$ ($R$ = Tb, Ho, Er, Tm) is investigated between 3 K and room temperature and at magnetic fields up to 70 kOe. We show a systematic increase of the magnetoelectric effect with decreasing magnetic
anisotropy of the rare earth moment. A giant magnetoelectric polarization is found in the magnetically (nearly) isotropic $HoAl_3(BO_3)_4$. The polarization value in transverse field geometry at 70 kOe reaches 3600 $mu C/m^2$ which is significantly higher than reported values for the field-induced polarization of linear magnetoelectric or even multiferroic compounds. The results indicate a very strong coupling of the f-moments to the lattice. They further indicate the importance of the field-induced ionic displacements in the unit cell resulting in a polar distortion and a change in symmetry on a microscopic scale. The system $RAl_3(BO_3)_4$ could be interesting for the technological utilization of the high-field magnetoelectric effect.
High temperature superconductors with a Tc above 40 K have been found to be strongly correlated electron systems and to have a layered structure. Guided by these rules, Kamihara et al. discovered a Tc up to 26 K in the layered La(O1-xFx)FeAs. By repl
acing La with tri-valence rare-earth elements RE of smaller ionic radii, Tc has subsequently been raised to 41-52 K. Many theoretical models have been proposed emphasizing the important magnetic origin of superconductivity in this compound system and a possible further Tc-enhancement in RE(O1-xFx)FeAs by compression. This later prediction appears to be supported by the pressure-induced Tc-increase in La(O0.89F0.11)FeAs observed. Here we show that, in contrast to previous expectations, pressure can either suppress or enhance Tc, depending on the doping level, suggesting that a Tc exceeding 50s K may be found only in the yet-to-be discovered compound systems related to but different from R(O1-xFx)FeAs and that the Tc of La(O1-xFx)FeAs and Sm(O1-xFx)FeAs may be further raised to 50s K.
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 a
bove 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 $Mn_{0.9}Fe_{0.1}WO_4$.
At zero magnetic field, a series of five phase transitions occur in Co3V2O8. The Neel temperature, TN=11.4 K, is followed by four additional phase changes at T1=8.9 K, T2=7.0 K, T3=6.9 K, and T4=6.2 K. The different phases are distinguished by the co
mmensurability of the b-component of its spin density wave vector. We investigate the stability of these various phases under magnetic fields through dielectric constant and magnetic susceptibility anomalies. The field-temperature phase diagram of Co3V2O8 is completely resolved. The complexity of the phase diagram results from the competition of different magnetic states with almost equal ground state energies due to competing exchange interactions and frustration.
MnWO4 has attracted attention because of its ferroelectric property induced by frustrated helical spin order. Strong spin-lattice interaction is necessary to explain ferroelectricity associated with this type of magnetic order.We have conducted therm
al expansion measurements along the a, b, c axes revealing the existence of strong anisotropic lattice anomalies at T1=7.8 K, the temperature of the magnetic lock-in transition into a commensurate low-temperature (reentrant paraelectric) phase. The effect of hydrostatic pressure up to 1.8 GPa on the FE phase is investigated by measuring the dielectric constant and the FE polarization. The low- temperature commensurate and paraelectric phase is stabilized and the stability range of the ferroelectric phase is diminished under pressure.
