Magnetic and Magnetoelectric Excitations in TbMnO3

Magnetic and magnetoelectric excitations in the multiferroic TbMnO3 have been investigated at terahertz frequencies. Using different experimental geometries we can clearly separate the electroactive excitations (electromagnons) from the magnetoactive modes, i.e., antiferromagnetic resonances. Two antiferromagnetic resonances were found to coincide with electromagnons. This indicates that both excitations belong to the same mode and the electromagnons can be excited by a magnetic ac field as well. In spite of the 90 degrees rotation of the magnetic cycloid in external magnetic fields, the electromagnons are observable for electric ac fields parallel to the a axis only.