Tuning ferroelectricity in DyMn2O5 by pressure and magnetic fields

The effects of magnetic fields and external pressure on the multiferroic properties and the ferroelectricity in DyMn2O5 are studied. With fields applied along the hard magnetic axis the new high-field phase previously detected is shown to be paraelectric. Application of pressure enhances the ferroelectric polarization at low temperatures by stabilizing the commensurate Mn-spin order. The pressure-temperature phase diagram is resolved. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved