Classification and Interpretation of the Polarization of Multiferroic RMn2O5

We have collected and compared temperature-dependent polarization data of multiferroic RMn2O5 for 11 kinds of rare earths (R) from the literature and our own measurements. Although the reported data are inconsistent, it was found that the maximum polarization values for R = Y, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm are almost equal above 30 K except for the phase transition temperature where the polarization disappears. The findings suggest a standard polarization value for RMn2O5 of 100-120 nC/cm(2) at 30 K in a commensurate magnetic (CM) phase. We discuss the nature and issues of the measured polarization of RMn2O5 from the data and our detailed measurement results for YMn2O5. Temperature-dependent ferroelectric hysteresis loops of YMn2O5 by the double-wave method reveal that an antiferroelectric-like high-temperature incommensurate magnetic (ICM) phase and a ferroelectric low-temperature ICM phase, while the intermediate CM phase is ferrielectric.