Abstract
Polarized small-angle neutron scattering studies of single-crystalline multiferroic reveal a long-wavelength spin density wave generated by spin canting of the spins out of the rotation plane of the antiferromagnetic cycloidal order. This signifies weak ferromagnetism within mesoscopic regions of dimension 0.03 microns along , to several microns along [111], confirming a long-standing theoretical prediction. The average local magnetization is . Our results provide an indication of the intrinsic macroscopic magnetization to be expected in ferroelectric thin films under strain, where the magnetic cycloid is suppressed.
- Received 26 July 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.207206
© 2011 American Physical Society