Enhancement of ferroelectricity in Cr-doped Ho_2Ti_2O_7

Authors :: Dong, X. W.
Dong, S.
Wang, K. F.
Wan, J. G.
Liu, J. -M.
Source :: Applied Physics Letters 96, 242904 (2010)
Publication Year :: 2010
Abstract: A series of polycrystalline pyrochlore rare-earth titanate Ho_{2-x}Cr_xTi_2O_7 are synthesized in order to enhance the ferroelectricity of pyrochlore Ho2Ti2O7. For the sample close to the doping level x=0.4, a giant enhancement of polarization P up to 660\muC/m2 from 0.54\muC/m2 at x=0 is obtained, accompanied with an increment of ferroelectric transition point Tc up to ~140K from ~60K. A magnetic anomaly at T~140K together with the polarization response to magnetic field, is identified, implying the multiferroic effect in Ho2-xCrxTi2O7.<br />Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures