Non-collinear magnetism & multiferroicity: the perovskite case
Résumé
Abstract The most important types of non-collinear magnetic orders that are realized in simple perovskite oxides are outlined in relation to multiferroicity. These orders are classified and rationalized in terms of a mimimal spin Hamiltonian, based on which the notion of spin-driven ferroelectricity is illustrated. These concepts find direct application in reference materials such as BiFeO 3 , GdFeO 3 and TbMnO 3 whose multiferroic properties are briefly reviewed.