Magnetoelectric Coupling, Ferroelectricity, and Magnetic Memory Effect in Double Perovskite La3Ni2NbO9

摘要

We observe ferroelectricity in an almost unexplored double perovskite La3Ni2NbO9. Ferroelectricity appears below similar to 60 K, which is found to be correlated with the significant magnetostriction. A reasonably large value of spontaneous electric polarization is recorded to be 160 mu C/m(2) at 10 K for E = 5 kV/cm, which decreases significantly upon application of a magnetic field (H), suggesting considerable magnetoelectric coupling. The dielectric permittivity is also influenced by H below the ferroelectric transition. The magnetodielectric response scales linearly to the squared magnetization, as described by the Ginzburg-Landau theory. Meticulous studies of static and dynamic features of dc magnetization and frequency dependent ac susceptibility results suggest spin-glass state below 29 K. Intrinsic magnetic memory effect is observed from zero-field cooled magnetization and isothermal remanent magnetization studies, also pointing spin-glass state below 29 K Appearance of ferroelectricity together with a significant magnetoelectric coupling in absence of conventional long-range magnetic order is promising for searching new magnetoelectric materials.