Some Properties of Ferromagnetoelectric Nickel-Iodine Boracite, Ni3B7O13I

Abstract

Ferroelectricity and weak ferromagnetism have been found to set on simultaneously in Ni3B7O13I at about 64°K. This is evidenced by dielectric hysteresis, spontaneous Faraday effect, quadratic magnetoelectric hysteresis, etc. The strong coupling between the mutually perpendicular spontaneous polarization—[001]—and spontaneous magnetization—[110]—is such that, when the former is reversed, the latter turns by 90°. The magnetic point group is most probably m′m2′. Dielectric constant, magnetic, and magnetoelectric susceptibilities and magnetic coercive field are shown as a function of temperature.