Observation of a multiferroic critical end point

Abstract

The study of abrupt increases in magnetization with magnetic field known as metamagnetic transitions has opened a rich vein of new physics in itinerant electron systems, including the discovery of quantum critical end points with a marked propensity to develop new kinds of order. However, the electric analogue of the metamagnetic critical end point, a "metaelectric" critical end point has not yet been realized. Multiferroic materials wherein magnetism and ferroelectricity are cross-coupled are ideal candidates for the exploration of this novel possibility using magnetic-field (\emph{H}) as a tuning parameter. Herein, we report the discovery of a magnetic-field-induced metaelectric transition in multiferroic BiMn$_{2}$O$_{5}$ in which the electric polarization (\emph{P}) switches polarity along with a concomitant Mn spin-flop transition at a critical magnetic field \emph{H}$_{\rm c}$. The simultaneous metaelectric and spin-flop transitions become sharper upon cooling, but remain a continuous crossover even down to 0.5 K. Near the \emph{P}=0 line realized at $\mu_{0}$\emph{H}$_{\rm c}$$\approx$18 T below 20 K, the dielectric constant ($\varepsilon$) increases significantly over wide field- and temperature (\emph{T})-ranges. Furthermore, a characteristic power-law behavior is found in the \emph{P}(\emph{H}) and $\varepsilon$(\emph{H}) curves at \emph{T}=0.66 K. These findings indicate that a magnetic-field-induced metaelectric critical end point is realized in BiMn$_2$O$_5$ near zero temperature.