Spin-Lattice Coupling, Frustration, and Magnetic Order in Multiferroic RMnO3
We have performed high-resolution neutron diffraction and inelastic neutron scattering experiments in the frustrated multiferroic hexagonal compounds RMnO3 (R=Ho,Yb,Sc,Y), which provide evidence of a strong magnetoelastic coupling in the whole family. We can correlate the atomic positions, the type of magnetic structure, and the nature of the spin waves whatever the R ion and temperature. The key parameter is the position of the Mn ions in the unit cell with respect to a critical threshold of 1/3, which determines the sign of the coupling between Mn triangular planes.
Spin-Lattice Coupling, Frustration, and Magnetic Order in Multiferroic RMnO3, X. Fabrèges1, S. Petit1, I. Mirebeau1, S. Pailhès1, L. Pinsard2, A. Forget3, M. T. Fernandez-Diaz4, and F. Porcher1 , Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 067204 (2009)
- Laboratoire Léon Brillouin, CEA-CNRS, CE-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie de l'Etat Solide, ICMMO, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay, France
- Service de Physique de l'Etat Condensé, CEA-CNRS, CE-Saclay, 91191 Gif-Sur-Yvette, France
- Institut Laüe Langevin, 6 rue Jules Horowitz, BP 156X, 38042 Grenoble, France