Electric field induced phase transition in charge-ordered LuFe2O4.

The measurements of resistance under various applied voltages as well as the highly nonlinear current-voltage characteristics reveal that a small electric field is able to induce an insulating to metallic phase transition in LuFe₂O₄. The threshold field at which the phase transition occurs decreases exponentially with the increasing temperature. We interpret this transition as a consequence of the breakdown of the charge-ordered state triggered by applied electric field. This electrically driven phase transition results in a colossal electroresistance effect around room temperature which makes LuFe₂O₄ a very promising material for many applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]