Epitaxial stabilization of a new multiferroic hexagonal phase of TbMnO3 thin films.

We report the multiferroic properties of a hexagonal TbMnO3 metastable phase that was epitaxially stabilized in thin film form on substrates with hexagonal in-plane symmetry. In contrast to the bulk orthorhombic phase, the hexagonal TbMnO3 films display ~ 20 times larger remnant polarization with the ferroelectric ordering temperature shifted to ~ 60 K. In addition, a newly discovered antiferroelectric-like phase and a clear signature of magnetoelectric effects suggest its uniqueness in the class of hexagonal manganties. Here we demonstrate a promising way to synthesize new multiferroic materials that do not exist in bulk form.

Advanced materials, vol. 18, p 3125, Dec. 2006