Multiferroicity and magnetoelastic coupling in α-Mn2O3: A binary perovskite

Multiferroics, where at least two primary ferroic orders are present and coupled in a single system, constitute an important class of materials. They have attracted special consideration as they present both intriguing fundamental physics problems and technological importance for potential multifunctional devices. Here, we present the evidence of multiferroicity and magnetoelectric (ME) coupling in α-Mn2O3; a unique binary perovskite. Corresponding to the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering around 80 K, a clear frequency-independent transition is observed in the dielectric permittivity. We showed that electric polarization emerges near the AFM regime that can be modulated with a magnetic field. The detailed structural analysis using synchrotron radiation x-ray diffraction demonstrates the increase in structural distortion with decreasing temperature, as well as changes in the unit cell parameters and bond lengths across the ferroelectric and magnetic ordering temperatures. This observation of multiferroicity and magnetoelastic coupling in α-Mn2O3 provides insights for the exploration of ME coupling in related materials.