Abstract
The magnetic and ferroelectric properties of the layered geometrically frustrated cluster compound were investigated with single-crystal neutron diffraction and dielectric measurements. An incommensurate transverse amplitude modulated magnetic order with the wave vector develops below . Simultaneously, a ferroelectric order due to exchange striction involving polarizable lone-pair electrons develops perpendicular to and to magnetic moments. The observed magnetoelectric coupling is proposed to originate from the temperature dependent phase difference between neighboring amplitude modulation waves.
- Received 12 June 2009
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.147202
©2009 American Physical Society