High-Pressure Synthesis and Correlation between Structure, Magnetic, and Dielectric Properties in LiNbO3-Type MnMO3 (M = Ti, Sn)

LiNbO3-type MnMO3 (M = Ti, Sn) were synthesized under high pressure and temperature; their structures and magnetic, dielectric, and thermal properties were investigated; and their relationships were discussed. Optical second harmonic generation and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that both of the compounds possess a polar LiNbO3-type structure at room temperature. Weak ferromagnetism due to canted antiferromagnetic interaction was observed at 25 and 50 K for MnTiO3 and MnSnO3, respectively. Anomalies in the dielectric permittivity were observed at the weak ferromagnetic transition temperature for both the compounds, indicating the correlation between magnetic and dielectric properties. These results indicate that LiNbO3-type compounds with magnetic cations are new candidates for multiferroic materials.