Electric Polarization via Magnetic Ordering in the “MnBi2S4” Mineral

Context: 

A unique mechanism of electric polarization via magnetic ordering was identified in a novel mineral called “MnBi2S4.

MnBi2S4: Electric Polarization Via Magnetic Ordering 

  • The study: It is a groundbreaking discovery in the field of magnetoelectric materials 
    • It focuses on a novel material named “MnBi2S4”, which exhibits a unique mechanism of inducing electric polarization via magnetic ordering.
  • Publication: The findings of the study are published in the journal PHYSICAL REVIEW B.
  • Funding: Department of Science and Technology, Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India 
  • Facilities: Sheikh Saqr Laboratory and International Centre for Materials Science at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research provided experimental facilities.

Magnetoelectric Multiferroics

  • These are a particular class of materials having rare and unique properties exhibiting  both magnetism and ferroelectricity simultaneously. 
  • Application: The property makes this material especially valuable for advanced technology applications like spintronics, electronic memory devices, and other components like actuators and switches.
  • Spin-driven multiferroics: A particular type of multiferroic material that exhibits ferroelectricity only when specific magnetic structures are present. 

 

Electric Polarization

  • It refers to the slight relative shift of positive and negative electric charge in opposite directions within an insulator, or dielectric, induced by an external electric field.
  • Polarization occurs when an electric field distorts the negative cloud of electrons around positive atomic nuclei in a direction opposite the field.

MnBi2S4 or Centro-symmetric

  • It is also known as mineral graţianite and belongs to the ternary manganese chalcogenide family.
  • The study: 

    • Tool:  High-resolution neutron diffraction was used to conduct the study, which is  crucial in characterizing the different magnetic structures responsible for electric polarization at these temperatures.
    • Findings:
      • Distinct magnetic structures were identified in the material, which includes a spin density wave (at 27 kelvin) as well as cycloidal (at 23 kelvin) and helical spin structures (at 21.5 Kelvin)
      • Most crucial discovery was the last two spin structures induced ferroelectricity in the material.
      • MnBi2S4 undergoes magnetic ordering at low temperatures (27, 23, and 21.5 Kelvins).
  • Significance:

    • Breakthrough in magnetoelectric coupling: Identification of solid coupling between magnetism and electric polarization driven by magnetic frustration.
      • For the first time, it was discovered in the specific MnBi2S4 material.
    • This discovery has sparked a lot of interest in finding new materials with different types of magnetism for various applications.
    • Application:  
      • Energy-efficient data storage: It could pave the way for energy-efficient spin manipulation using small electric fields
      • It could revolutionize data storage by reducing energy consumption during writing processes.
      • Logic system: It could lead to the development of a four-state logic memory system, providing additional degrees of freedom for device performance compared to the current binary logic systems.
    • Future research: The goal is to find materials that exhibit these properties at room temperature and to understand the mechanisms that break inversion symmetry and induce polarization.
Also Read: India Joins Battery Energy Storage Systems Consortium

News source: PIB

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

To get PDF version, Please click on "Print PDF" button.

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

THE MOST
LEARNING PLATFORM

Learn From India's Best Faculty

      
Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">







    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.