The influence of magnetic anisotropy on magnetoelectric behavior in conical spin ordered multiferroic state

Abstract

For the magnetism-driven multiferroic materials, the magnetic anisotropy plays an essential role in the magnetoelectric behavior. To understand the influence of magnetic anisotropy on multiferroic state resulting from the conical spin order, we have performed Monte Carlo simulation on a three-dimensional classical Heisenberg model in spinel lattice. The single-ion anisotropy from the easy-axis type to the easy-plane type is considered in the system, and the corresponding magnetoelectric behavior is investigated under a rotating external magnetic field (h). It is revealed that the magnetic anisotropy drags the orientation of conical spin structure slightly away from the direction of h, and distorts the conical spin structure as well. The balance between h and the anisotropy results in the anisotropic magnetoelectric properties during the rotation of h.