Multiferroicity in spin ice Ho2Ti2O7: An investigation on single crystals

The single crystals of rare-earth titanate pyrochlore compound Ho2Ti2O7 are grown and their multiferroicity along the [110] and [111] directions is investigated. The ferroelectricity below similar to 28 K, with a polarization of similar to 2.50 mu C/m(2) along the < 111 > direction at 2K, qualitatively fitting with the theoretical scenario proposed by Khomskii (Nat. Commun. 3, 904 (2012)), is revealed. The magnetoelectric responses along both the [110] and [111] directions are observed, but different underlying mechanisms associated with the specific spin configurations are suggested. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics.