Magnetoelectric phase control in a magnetic system showing cycloidal/conical spin orderMagnetoelectric phase control in a magnetic system showing cycloidal/conical spin order

Since the discovery of ferroelectric activity as well as colossal magnetoelectric response in a perovskite-type manganite TbMnO3, the study of a new class of magnetoelectric multiferroics has been attracting a great deal of interest. In these multiferroics, ferroelectric order develops upon a magnetic phase transition into some spiral magnetic ordered phases such as a cycloidal or transverse conical structure. Since the origin of ferroelectricity is attributed to magnetism in these multiferroics, ferroelectric properties can be readily controlled by the use of magnetic fields. We review the magnetoelectric phase control in a magnetic system showing cycloidal/conical spiral spin order.