Crystal and magnetic structures of hexagonal YMnO3. Issue 6 (1st December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Howard, Christopher J.; Campbell, Branton J.; Stokes, Harold T.; Carpenter, Michael A.; Thomson, Richard I.
• Is Part Of: Acta crystallographica. Volume 69:Issue 6(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 534
• Page End: 540
• Publication Date: 2013-12-01
• DOI: 10.1107/S205251921302993X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-5206

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The available data on the structural and magnetic transitions in multiferroic hexagonal YMnO₃ have been reviewed, first making use of the computer programs from the group theoretical <italic>ISOTROPY</italic> software suite to list possible crystal and magnetic structures, then taking into account the capability of neutron diffraction and other physical methods to distinguish them. This leads to a clear view of the transformation sequence, as follows. Hexagonal YMnO₃ is paraelectric in <italic>P</italic>6₃/<italic>mmc</italic> at elevated temperatures, and undergoes a single structural transition on cooling through 1250 K to a ferrielectric phase in <italic>P</italic>6₃<italic>cm</italic> that is retained through room temperature. At a much lower temperature, 70 K, there is a magnetic transition from paramagnetic to a triangular antiferromagnetic arrangement, most likely with symmetry <italic>P</italic>6₃′<italic>cm</italic>′. Comment is made on the unusual coupling of ferroelectric and magnetic domains reported to occur in this material, as well as on the so‐called `giant magneto‐elastic' effect.</p> </abstract>