Display of converse and direct magnetoelectric effect in double perovskite LaYFe₂O₆

This work reports the simultaneous observation of converse magnetoelectric (CME) and direct magnetoelectric (DME) effects in LaYFe₂O₆. The structural, magnetic, and magnetoelectric properties of LaYFe₂O₆, prepared by the sol-gel auto-combustion method and sintered at various temperatures, have been studied. The x-ray powder diffraction study suggests the double perovskite structure with symmetries P2₁nm (∼90%) and Pbnm (∼10%). The alternate ordering of La and Y ions is confirmed by the neutron powder diffraction (ND) study, which also suggests the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering of spins. AFM behavior is also manifested by the magnetic field-dependent magnetization (M) measurement. A higher P2₁nm phase content is desirable in the context of magnetoelectricity. Magnetic transition (∼700 K) is asserted in the temperature-dependent M measurement. The isothermal magnetization study shows weak ferromagnetism probably due to gradually increasing spin canting with temperature until the transition temperature. The highest CME coefficient (∼2.26 mOe cm/V) as well as DME coefficient (∼0.45 mV/cm Oe) in this material are recorded. True magnetoelectricity for temperature as high as 400 K opens up a new avenue on the playground of magnetoelectric (ME)-based applications.