Researchers have identified a unique mechanism of electric polarization via magnetic ordering in a novel mineral named “MnBi2S4”, which can be useful for energy efficient data storage.
- Magnetoelectric multiferroics are a special class of materials popular among the research fraternity for their rarity and unique properties.
- Interestingly, these materials can exhibit both magnetism and ferroelectricity simultaneously.
- This dual property is particularly fascinating, as materials typically possess either magnetism or ferroelectricity.
- Finding a single material with both these properties, is therefore, rare and valuable.
- MnBi2S4 is also known as mineral graţianite and belongs to the ternary manganese chalcogenide family.