摘要
The RMn_(2)O_(5) manganite compounds represent one class of multiferroic family with magnetic origins,which has been receiving continuous attention in the past decade.So far,our understanding of the magnetic origins for ferroelectricity in RMn_(2)O_(5) is associated with the nearly collinear antiferromagnetic structure of Mn ions,while the exchange striction induced ionic displacements are the consequence of the spin frustration competitions.While this scenario may be applied to almost all RMn_(2)O_(5) members,its limitation is either clear:the temperature-dependent behaviors of electric polarization and its responses to external stimuli are seriously materials dependent.These inconsistences raise substantial concern with the state-of-the-art physics of ferroelectricity in RMn_(2)O_(5).In this mini-review,we present our recent experimental results on the roles of the 4f moments from R ions which are intimately coupled with the 3d moments from Mn ions.DyMn_(2)O_(5) is a golden figure for illustrating these roles.It is demonstrated that the spin structure accommodates two nearly collinear sublattices which generate respectively two ferroelectric(FE)sublattices,enabling DyMn_(2)O_(5) an emergent ferrielectric(FIE)system rarely identified in magnetically induced FEs.The evidence is presented from several aspects,including FIE-like phenomena and magnetoelectric responses,proposed structural model,and experimental check by nonmagnetic substitutions of the 3d and 4f moments.Additional perspectives regarding possible challenges in understanding the multiferroicity of RMn_(2)O_(5) as a generalized scenario are discussed.
基金
supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11234005 and 51431006)
the National 973 Projects of China(Grant No.2011CB922101).
