Abstract
Using a joint approach of density functional theory and model calculations, we demonstrate that a prototypical charge ordered half-doped manganite La1/2Ca1/2MnO3 is multiferroic. The combination of a peculiar charge-orbital ordering and a tendency to form spin dimers breaks the inversion symmetry and leads to a ferroelectric ground state with a polarization up to several μC/cm2. The presence of improper ferroelectricity does not depend on the hotly debated structural details of this material: in the Zener-polaron structure we find a similar ferroelectric response with a large polarization of purely magnetic origin.
Original language | Undefined |
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Pages (from-to) | 037601/1-037601/4 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Physical review letters |
Volume | 103 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Keywords
- METIS-259489
- IR-73645