Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2024
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.17859 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Table of Contents:
- Type-II multiferroicity, where electric polarization is induced by specific spin patterns, is crucial in fundamental physics and advanced spintronics. However, the spin model and magnetoelectric coupling mechanisms in prototypical type-II multiferroic CuFeO$_2$ and Al-doped CuFeO$_2$ remain unclear. Here, by considering both spin and alloy degrees of freedom, we develop a magnetic cluster expansion method, which considers all symmetry allowed interactions. Applying such method, we not only obtain realistic spin model that can correctly reproduce observations for both CuFeO$_2$ and CuFe$_{1-x}$Al$_x$O$_2$, but also revisit well-known theories of the original spin-current (SC) model and $p$-$d$ hybridization model. Specifically, we find that (i) a previously overlooked biquadratic interaction is critical to reproduce the $\uparrow\uparrow\downarrow\downarrow$ ground state and excited states of CuFeO$_2$; (ii) the combination of absent biquadratic interaction and increased magnetic frustration around Al dopants stabilizes the proper screw state; and (iii) it is the generalized spin-current (GSC) model that can correctly characterize the multiferroicity of CuFeO$_2$. These findings have broader implications for understanding novel magnetoelectric couplings in, e.g., monolayer multiferroic NiI$_2$.