Electric spontaneous polarization in YbFe2O4

International audienceWe report the observation of the electric spontaneous polarization in YbFe 2 O 4 , one candidate " electronic ferroelectric, " where ferroelectricity originates from the polar charge order. Though we have proposed that in LuFe 2 O 4 polar charge ordering of iron ions having different valence states give rise to ferroelectricity, some reports questioned not only the electronic origin but also the existence of the ferroelectricity itself in this system. In response to this, we show a direct macroscopic evidence of the existence of the ferroelectricity by a clear P-E hysteresis loop of YbFe 2 O 4 belonging to the same system as that of LuFe 2 O 4. Although further investigations are required about the electronic origin, we report the direct observation of the macroscopic electric polarization