Display of converse and direct magnetoelectric effect in double perovskite LaYFe2O6

This work reports the simultaneous observation of converse magnetoelectric (CME) and direct magnetoelectric (DME) effects in LaYFe2O6. The structural, magnetic, and magnetoelectric properties of LaYFe2O6, prepared by the sol-gel auto-combustion method and sintered at various temperatures, have been studied. The x-ray powder diffraction study suggests the double perovskite structure with symmetries P21nm (∼90%) and Pbnm (∼10%). The alternate ordering of La and Y ions is confirmed by the neutron powder diffraction (ND) study, which also suggests the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering of spins. AFM behavior is also manifested by the magnetic field-dependent magnetization (M) measurement. A higher P21nm phase content is desirable in the context of magnetoelectricity. Magnetic transition (∼700 K) is asserted in the temperature-dependent M measurement. The isothermal magnetization study shows weak ferromagnetism probably due to gradually increasing spin canting with temperature until the transition temperature. The highest CME coefficient (∼2.26 mOe cm/V) as well as DME coefficient (∼0.45 mV/cm Oe) in this material are recorded. True magnetoelectricity for temperature as high as 400 K opens up a new avenue on the playground of magnetoelectric (ME)-based applications.