Exploration of the helimagnetic and skyrmion lattice phase diagram in Cu 2 OSeO 3 using magnetoelectric susceptibility

Abstract

Using superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry techniques, we have studied the change in magnetization versus applied ac electric field, i.e. the magnetoelectric (ME) susceptibility dM/dE, in the chiral-lattice ME insulator Cu2OSeO3. Measurements of the dM/dE response provide a sensitive and efficient probe of the magnetic phase diagram, and we observe clearly distinct responses for the different magnetic phases, including the skyrmion lattice phase. By combining our results with theoretical calculation, we estimate quantitatively the ME coupling strength as λ= 0.0146 meV/(V/nm) in the conical phase. Our study demonstrates the ME susceptibility to be a powerful, sensitive, and efficient technique for both characterizing and discovering new multiferroic materials and phases. © 2014 American Physical Society.