Spin-driven multiferroics in BaYFeO4

We report on the spin-driven multiferroic property and magnetoelectric effect in the lately synthesized compound BaYFeO4. Due to its peculiar crystal structure, the system exhibits complex magnetic phases with multiple transitions. The dielectric and pyroelectric measurements evidence a spin-driven multiferroic state raised by the cycloidal spin structure below T-1 = 36 K. Strong magnetoelectric effect has also been observed in the multiferroic state. The origin of noncollinear cycloidal spin structure in BaYFeO4 is believed to arise from the interactions between low-dimensional magnetic columns. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.