Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya-like interaction in ferroelectrics and antiferroelectrics.

The Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) between two magnetic moments mi and mj is of the form [Formula: see text]. It originates from spin-orbit coupling, and is at the heart of fascinating phenomena involving non-collinear magnetism, such as magnetic topological defects (for example, skyrmions) as well as spin-orbit torques and magnetically driven ferroelectricity, that are of significant fundamental and technological interest. In sharp contrast, its electric counterpart, which is an electric DMI characterized by its [Formula: see text] strength and describing an interaction between two polar displacements ui and uj, has rarely been considered, despite the striking possibility that it could also generate new features associated with non-collinear patterns of electric dipoles. Here we report first-principles simulations combined with group theoretical symmetry analysis which not only demonstrate that electric DMI does exist and has a one-to-one correspondence with its magnetic analogue, but also reveals a physical source for it. These findings can be used to explain and/or design phenomena of possible technological importance in ferroelectrics and multiferroics.

Zeeman Effect in Centrosymmetric Antiferromagnetic Semiconductors Controlled by an Electric Field.

Centrosymmetric antiferromagnetic semiconductors, although abundant in nature, seem less promising than ferromagnets and ferroelectrics for practical applications in semiconductor spintronics. As a matter of fact, the lack of spontaneous polarization and magnetization hinders the efficient utilization of electronic spin in these materials. Here, we propose a paradigm to harness electronic spin in centrosymmetric antiferromagnets via Zeeman spin splitting of electronic energy levels-termed as the spin Zeeman effect-which is controlled by an electric field. By symmetry analysis, we identify 21 centrosymmetric magnetic point groups that accommodate such a spin Zeeman effect. We further predict by first principles that two antiferromagnetic semiconductors, Fe_{2}TeO_{6} and SrFe_{2}S_{2}O, are excellent candidates showcasing Zeeman splittings as large as ∼55 and ∼30 meV, respectively, induced by an electric field of 6 MV/cm. Moreover, the electronic spin magnetization associated to the splitting energy levels can be switched by reversing the electric field. Our Letter thus sheds light on the electric-field control of electronic spin in antiferromagnets, which broadens the scope of application of centrosymmetric antiferromagnetic semiconductors.

Purely Cubic Spin Splittings with Persistent Spin Textures.

Purely cubic spin splittings in the band structure of bulk insulators have not been extensively investigated yet despite the fact that they may pave the way for novel spin-orbitronic applications and can also result in a variety of promising spin phenomena. By symmetry analysis and first-principles simulations, we report symmetry-enforced purely cubic spin splittings (SEPCSS) that can even lead to persistent spin textures. In particular, these SEPCSS can be thought to be complementary to the cubic Rashba and cubic Dresselhaus types of spin splittings. Strikingly, the presently discovered SEPCSS are expected to exist in the large family of materials crystallizing in the 6[over ¯]m2 and 6[over ¯] point groups, including the Ge_{3}Pb_{5}O_{11}, Pb_{7}Br_{2}F_{12}, and Pb_{7}Cl_{2}F_{12} compounds.

A rhombohedral ferroelectric phase in epitaxially strained Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin films.

Hafnia-based thin films are a favoured candidate for the integration of robust ferroelectricity at the nanoscale into next-generation memory and logic devices. This is because their ferroelectric polarization becomes more robust as the size is reduced, exposing a type of ferroelectricity whose mechanism still remains to be understood. Thin films with increased crystal quality are therefore needed. We report the epitaxial growth of Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin films on (001)-oriented La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SrTiO3 substrates. The films, which are under epitaxial compressive strain and predominantly (111)-oriented, display large ferroelectric polarization values up to 34 µC cm-2 and do not need wake-up cycling. Structural characterization reveals a rhombohedral phase, different from the commonly reported polar orthorhombic phase. This finding, in conjunction with density functional theory calculations, allows us to propose a compelling model for the formation of the ferroelectric phase. In addition, these results point towards thin films of simple oxides as a vastly unexplored class of nanoscale ferroelectrics.

Viewpoint: Atomic-Scale Design Protocols toward Energy, Electronic, Catalysis, and Sensing Applications.

Nanostructured materials are essential building blocks for the fabrication of new devices for energy harvesting/storage, sensing, catalysis, magnetic, and optoelectronic applications. However, because of the increase of technological needs, it is essential to identify new functional materials and improve the properties of existing ones. The objective of this Viewpoint is to examine the state of the art of atomic-scale simulative and experimental protocols aimed to the design of novel functional nanostructured materials, and to present new perspectives in the relative fields. This is the result of the debates of Symposium I "Atomic-scale design protocols towards energy, electronic, catalysis, and sensing applications", which took place within the 2018 European Materials Research Society fall meeting.

Large polarization and dielectric response in epitaxial SrZrO3 films.

First-principles calculations are performed to investigate the ferroelectric and dielectric properties of (001) epitaxial SrZrO3 thin films under misfit strain. A rich phase diagram is predicted. By condensing the polar instability, the ferroelectric Pmc21 and Ima2 phases can coexist under tensile strain (about 3.7%-5.2%/5.7%). Combining in-plane ferroelectric (FExy) and out-of-plane in-phase antiferrodistortive (IAFDz) modes, another new Pmc21 state (P > 56 µC cm(-2)) occurs with increase in the tensile strain. The paraelectric I4/mcm and ferroelectric P4mm phases emerge around -3.2%/-3.7% and -6.4%/-7.4% compressive strain, respectively. The former exhibits an intense out-of-plane dielectric response, while the latter possesses a rather large polarization (∼ 110 µC cm(-2)). The large polarization and dielectric response are discussed in relationship to strain-driven structural distortion.

The anti-symmetric and anisotropic symmetric exchange interactions between electric dipoles in hafnia.

The anti-symmetric and anisotropic symmetric exchange interactions between two magnetic dipole moments - responsible for intriguing magnetic textures (e.g., magnetic skyrmions) - have been discovered since last century, while their electric analogues were either hidden for a long time or still not known. It is only recently that the anti-symmetric exchange interactions between electric dipoles was proved to exist (with materials hosting such an interaction being still rare) and the existence of anisotropic symmetric exchange interaction between electric dipoles remains ambiguous. Here, by symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations, we identify hafnia as a candidate material hosting the non-collinear dipole alignments, the analysis of which reveals the anti-symmetric and anisotropic symmetric exchange interactions between electric dipoles in this material. Our findings can hopefully deepen the current knowledge of electromagnetism in condensed matter, and imply the possibility of discovering novel states of matter (e.g., electric skyrmions) in hafnia-related materials.

Deterministic control of ferroelectric polarization by ultrafast laser pulses.

Ultrafast light-matter interactions present a promising route to control ferroelectric polarization at room temperature, which is an exciting idea for designing novel ferroelectric-based devices. One emergent light-induced technique for controlling polarization consists in anharmonically driving a high-frequency phonon mode through its coupling to the polarization. A step towards such control has been recently accomplished, but the polarization has been reported to be only partially reversed and for a short lapse of time. Such transient partial reversal is not currently understood, and it is presently unclear if full control of polarization, by, e.g., fully reversing it or even making it adopt different directions (thus inducing structural phase transitions), can be achieved by activating the high-frequency phonon mode via terahertz pulse stimuli. Here, by means of realistic simulations of a prototypical ferroelectric, we reveal and explain (1) why a transient partial reversal has been observed, and (2) how to deterministically control the ferroelectric polarization thanks to these stimuli. Such results can provide guidance for realizing original ultrafast optoferroic devices.

Improper electric polarization in simple perovskite oxides with two magnetic sublattices.

ABO3 perovskite oxides with magnetic A and B cations offer a unique playground to explore interactions involving two spin sublattices and the emergent effects they may drive. Of particular interest is the possibility of having magnetically driven improper ferroelectricity, as in the much studied families of rare-earth orthoferrites and orthochromites; yet, the mechanisms behind such effects remain to be understood in detail. Here we show that the strongest polar order corresponds to collinear spin configurations and is driven by non-relativistic exchange-strictive mechanisms. Our first-principles simulations reveal the dominant magnetostructural couplings underlying the observed ferroelectricity, including a striking magnetically driven piezoelectric effect. Further, we derive phenomenological and atomistic theories that describe such couplings in a generic perovskite lattice. This allows us to predict how the observed effects can be enhanced, and even how similar ones can be obtained in other perovskite families.

Elucidation of crystal and electronic structures within highly strained BiFeO3 by transmission electron microscopy and first-principles simulation.

Crystal and electronic structures of ~380 nm BiFeO3 film grown on LaAlO3 substrate are comprehensively studied using advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique combined with first-principles theory. Cross-sectional TEM images reveal the BiFeO3 film consists of two zones with different crystal structures. While zone II turns out to have rhombohedral BiFeO3, the crystal structure of zone I matches none of BiFeO3 phases reported experimentally or predicted theoretically. Detailed electron diffraction analysis combined with first-principles calculation allows us to determine that zone I displays an orthorhombic-like monoclinic structure with space group of Cm (=8). The growth mechanism and electronic structure in zone I are further discussed in comparison with those of zone II. This study is the first to provide an experimentally validated complete crystallographic detail of a highly strained BiFeO3 that includes the lattice parameter as well as the basis atom locations in the unit cell.

Predicted pressure-induced spin and electronic transition in double perovskite R2CoMnO6 (R = rare-earth ion).

Specific first-principles calculations are performed to predict structural, magnetic and electronic properties of seven double perovskite R2CoMnO6 materials, with R being a rare-earth ion, under hydrostatic pressure. All these compounds are found to undergo a first-order transition from a high spin (HS) to low spin (LS) state at a critical pressure (whose value is dependent on the R ion). Such transition not only results in a significant volume collapse but also yields a dramatic change in electronic structure. More precisely, the HS-to-LS transition is accompanied by a transition from an insulator to a half-metallic state in the R2CoMnO6 compounds having the largest rare-earth ionic radius (i.e., Nd, Sm, Gd and Tb) while it induces a change from an insulator to a semiconductor having a narrow band gap for the smallest rare-earth ions (i.e., R = Dy, Ho and Er). Experiments are called for to confirm these predictions.

Predicted energetics and properties of rare-earth ferrites films grown on cubic (111)- and hexagonal (0001)-oriented substrates.

First-principles calculations are performed to compare the energetics of several phases, including hexagonal polar P6(3)cm and perovskite non-polar Pbnm-like states, of epitaxial RFeO3 films (with R = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Lu) grown on different cubic (1 1 1)- and hexagonal (0 0 0 1)-oriented substrates. The P63cm phase is found to be the ground state for large enough in-plane lattice parameters in all investigated RFeO3 films, and its polarization is tunable by the amount of epitaxial strain. Series of available substrates allowing the growth of hexagonal polar RFeO3 films, as well as other phenomena of fundamental and technological importance (e.g. different ground states and coexistence between several phases) are also predicted.

Creating multiferroics with large tunable electrical polarization from paraelectric rare-earth orthoferrites.

The quest for materials possessing both a magnetic ordering temperature above room temperature and a large electrical polarization is an important research direction in order to design novel spintronic and memory devices. Up to now, BiFeO3 and related systems are the only known compounds simultaneously possessing such characteristics. Here, first-principles calculations predict that another family of materials, namely epitaxial films made of rare-earth orthoferrites (RFeO3), can also exhibit such desired features. As a matter of fact, applying a large enough strain to these compounds, which are nominally paraelectric and have a high magnetic transition temperature, is predicted to render them ferroelectric, and thus multiferroic. At high compressive strain, the resulting ferroelectric phase of RFeO3 systems having large rare-earth ions is even a tetragonal state characterized by a giant polarization and axial ratio. For large tensile strain, two striking inhomogenous ferroelectric phases--including one never observed before in any perovskite--are further predicted as having significant polarization. A multiphase boundary also occurs, which may lead to optimization of properties or unusual features. Finally, many quantities, including electrical polarization and magnetic ordering temperature, are tunable by varying the epitaxial strain and/or chemical pressure.

Near room-temperature multiferroic materials with tunable ferromagnetic and electrical properties.

The quest for multiferroic materials with ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties at room temperature continues to be fuelled by the promise of novel devices. Moreover, being able to tune the electrical polarization and the paramagnetic-to-ferromagnetic transition temperature constitutes another current research direction of fundamental and technological importance. Here we report on the first-principles-based prediction of a specific class of materials--namely, R2NiMnO6/La2NiMnO6 superlattices where R is a rare-earth ion--that exhibit an electrical polarization and strong ferromagnetic order near room temperature, and whose electrical and ferromagnetic properties can be tuned by means of chemical pressure and/or epitaxial strain. Analysis of the first-principles results naturally explains the origins of these highly desired features.

Effect of chemical pressure, misfit strain and hydrostatic pressure on structural and magnetic behaviors of rare-earth orthochromates.

First-principles calculations are performed to investigate structural and magnetic behaviors of rare-earth orthochromates as a function of 'chemical' pressure (that is, the rare-earth ionic radius), epitaxial misfit strain and hydrostatic pressure. From a structural point of view, (i) 'chemical' pressure significantly modifies antipolar displacements, Cr-O-Cr bond angles and the resulting oxygen octahedral tiltings; (ii) hydrostatic pressure mostly changes Cr-O bond lengths; and (iii) misfit strain affects all these quantities. The correlations between magnetic properties (Néel temperature and weak ferromagnetic moments) and unit cell volume are similar when varying the misfit strain or hydrostatic pressure, but differ from those associated with the 'chemical' pressure. Origins of such effects are also discussed.

Effect of chemical and hydrostatic pressures on structural and magnetic properties of rare-earth orthoferrites: a first-principles study.

The dependence of structural and magnetic properties of rare-earth orthoferrites (in their Pbnm ground state) on the rare-earth ionic radius is systematically investigated from first principles. The effects of this 'chemical pressure' on lattice constants, Fe-O bond lengths, Fe-O-Fe bond angles and Fe-O bond length splittings are all well reproduced by these ab initio calculations. The simulations also offer novel predictions (on tiltings of FeO6 octahedra, cation antipolar displacements and weak magnetization) to be experimentally checked. In particular, the weak ferromagnetic moment of rare-earth orthoferrites is predicted to be a linear function of the rare-earth ionic radius. Finally, the effects of applying hydrostatic pressure on structural and magnetic behavior of SmFeO3 is also studied. It is found that, unlike previously assumed, hydrostatic pressure typically generates changes in physical properties that are quantitatively and even qualitatively different from those associated with the chemical pressure.