Electric Polarization Induced by Spin Ordering under Magnetic Fields in Distorted Triangular Lattice Antiferromagnet RbCoBr3

Abstract

Magnetization and electric polarization are measured for RbCoBr3 in the presence of an applied high magnetic field. The saturation of magnetization is recognized in the magnetization curve. The g-value of pseudospin and the nearest-neighbor intrachain exchange interaction of RbCoBr3, which has the properties of a quasi-one-dimensional Ising antiferromagnet, are evaluated. The electric polarization parallel to the c-axis under a magnetic field alone and also under the simultaneous application of electric and magnetic fields along the c-axis is observed to increase around the magnetic phase transition point from the ferrimagnetic low-temperature phase to the partially disordered high-temperature phase. Experimental results indicate that the electric polarization is induced through the rearrangement of the spin structure accompanied by the magnetic phase transition under an applied magnetic field. A probable reason for the enhancement of electric polarization is given from the viewpoint of the interplay betw...