Ordered “ferroic” materials tend to divide into domains with different orientations of their order parameter. We have studied the interaction between two domain structures in a multiferroic heterostructure comprising a metamagnetic FeRh film grown epitaxially onto a ferroelectric and ferroelastic BaTiO3 crystal. We have used element-specific X-ray imaging to map the magnetic order and orientation of the FeRh while modulating temperature and electric field across BaTiO3, and have revealed local changes that are larger and more reversible than the global changes we previously reported. Our results emphasize the importance of understanding and harnessing nanoscale ferroic domain structure to achieved enhanced couplings in artificial multiferroics.

Local electrical control of magnetic order and orientation by ferroelastic domain arrangements just above room temperature
L. C. Phillips et al, Sci. Rep. 5, 10026 (2015)