Magnetoelectric control of spin-chiral ferroelectric domains in a triangular lattice antiferromagnet

We have grown single crystals of a triangular lattice antiferromagnet (TLA), CuCrO₂, and investigated the correlation between magnetic and dielectric properties. Two magnetic phase transitions are observed at TN2≈24.2 K and TN1≈23.6 K. It was found that ferroelectric polarization along the triangular lattice plane develops at TN1, suggesting that the system undergoes a transition into an out-of-plane 120^∘ spin-chiral phase at TN1. The TLA provides an opportunity for unique magnetoelectric control of spin-chiral ferroelectric domain structures by means of electric and/or magnetic fields.