Improving magnetoelectric coupling in novel single-phase multiferroic thin films of the MTiO3
(M = Fe, Mn, Ni, …) family
EMSL Project ID
48108
Abstract
Multiferroics exhibit simultaneous electric and magnetic order. They are receiving increasing attention due tothe fact that they show promise for the design of new multifunctional devices where electric field control of
magnetization is utilized. Today’s challenge in multiferroics is to find materials where the coupling between
ferroelectricity (FE) and ferromagnetism (FM) is strong. To identify such materials, we need to pin down the
physical origin of the coupling of polarization and magnetization, and use that knowledge to design novel
materials that perform better. We will address this challenge using an integrated theoretical-experimental
approach. This proposal builds on the PIs’ previous success in making multiferroic NiTiO3 in epitaxial thin
film form. The driving hypothesis is that alloying/doping MTiO3 (M=Fe,Mn,Ni,…) will affect the FM and
FE properties, and in turn the coupling of FE and FM. First principles calculations in density functional
theory will help us determine alloying scenarios that will enhance the magnetic moment and/or the
ferroelectric polarization, thus their coupling. Using the knowledge gained from the theory, we will be able
to design and synthesize novel single-phase multiferroics with MTiO3 (M=Fe, Co, Cr Mn, Ni, V,…)
composition, and control the electric and magnetic properties of these phases. Finally, the structure of the
films, their ferroic properties, and the degree of coupling between their electric polarization and
magnetization will be examined. The proposal addresses specific DOE grand challenges related to
understanding and controlling the properties of matter that emerge from complex correlations of atomic and
electronic constituents and the design of novel materials with tailored properties. The work outlined here is in
alignment with EMSL’s Science of Interfacial Phenomena theme and takes us one step closer to addressing
the meso challenge related to complex oxide magnetoelectrics, a goal of the corresponding Early Career
Proposal.
Project Details
Start Date
2013-09-20
End Date
2014-09-28
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Co-Investigator(s)
Team Members
Related Publications
Varga T, TC Droubay, L Kovarik, MI Nandasiri, V Shutthanandan, D Hu, B Kim, S Jeon, S Hong, Y Li, and SA Chambers. 2017. "Coupled Lattice Polarization and Ferromagnetism in Multiferroic NiTiO3 Thin Films." ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 9(26):21879–21890. doi:10.1021/acsami.7b04481