Coexistence of Magnetic and Electric Ordering in Crystals

Abstract

Magnetic and electric properties of some single crystals of complex composition of perovskite‐type structure were investigated and coexistence of ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic properties was shown in them. It was found that single crystals YMnO₃ and YbMnO₃ of the new class of ferroelectrics, discovered by Bertaut and others, are also antiferromagnetics. The results of the investigation of solid solutions based on BiFeO₃, which has a perovskite‐type structure, are discussed. The opinion is expressed that BiFeO₃ is probably not a ferroelectric. The main results concerning the thermodynamic theory of substances which are ferroelectric and ferromagnetic simultaneously are given in this report.