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Inversion-symmetry breaking in the noncollinear magnetic phase of the triangular-lattice antiferromagnet CuFeO2

T. Kimura1,2, J. C. Lashley1, and A. P. Ramirez2

  • 1Los Alamos National Laboratories, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
  • 2Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, 600 Mountain Avenue, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974, USA

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Phys. Rev. B 73, 220401(R) – Published 12 June, 2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.73.220401

Abstract

Magnetoelectric and magnetoelastic phenomena have been investigated on a frustrated triangular antiferromagnetic lattice in CuFeO2. Inversion-symmetry breaking, manifested as a finite electric polarization, was observed in noncollinear (helical) magnetic phases and not in collinear magnetic phases. This result demonstrates that the noncollinear spin structure plays an important role in inducing electric polarization. Based on these results we suggest that frustrated magnets (often favoring noncollinear configurations) are favorable candidates for a new class of magnetoelectric materials.

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Phys. Rev. B 73, 220401(R)– Published 12 June, 2006
  • Received 9 May 2006

© 2006 American Physical Society

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