Eur. Phys. J. B 52, 361-364 (2006)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2006-00318-3

Colossal magnetostriction effect in HoMn₂O₅

¹ Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Solid State Physics, 72 “Tzarigradsko Chaussee" Blvd., 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria
² International Laboratory of High Magnetic Fields and Low Temperatures, 95 Gajowicka Str., 53421 Wroclaw, Poland
³ Sofia University “St. Kl. Ohridski", Faculty of Physics, 5 “James Bourchier" Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria

Corresponding author: ^a radulov@issp.bas.bg

Received: 26 May 2006
Revised: 14 July 2006
Published online: 7 August 2006

Abstract

We have investigated the detailed field and temperature dependence of the dielectric constant, electric polarization, magnetization and magnetostriction in orthorhombic HoMn₂O₅ single crystals. HoMn₂O₅ displays incommensurate antiferromagnetic ordering below 39 K, becoming commensurate on further cooling. The commensurate-incommensurate transition takes place at low temperatures. The inherent magnetic frustration in this material is lifted by a small lattice distortion, primarily involving shifts of the Mn³⁺ cations and giving rise to a canted antiferroelectric phase. Colossal magnetostriction effect was observed and a novel phase transition diagram was build.