Colossal magnetostriction effect in HoMn

We have investigated the detailed field and temperature dependence of the dielectric constant, electric polarization, magnetization and magnetostriction in orthorhombic HoMn2O5 single crystals. HoMn2O5 displays incommensurate antiferromagnetic ordering below 39 K, becoming commensurate on further cooling. The commensurate-incommensurate transition takes place at low temperatures. The inherent magnetic frustration in this material is lifted by a small lattice distortion, primarily involving shifts of the Mn3+ cations and giving rise to a canted antiferroelectric phase. Colossal magnetostriction effect was observed and a novel phase transition diagram was build