Magnetoelectric Effects in Complex Oxides with Competing Ground States

Direct, charge-mediated magnetoelectric coupling is demonstrated in a heterogeneous multiferroic that takes advantage of the sensitivity of a strongly correlated magnetic system to competing electronic ground states. Using magneto-optic Kerr effect magnetometry, we observe large magnetoelectric coupling in ferroelectric/lanthanum manganite heterostructures, resulting in control of the magnetic state by means of an applied electric field, as illustrated in the figure.