Observation of ferroelectromagnetic nature in rare-earth-substituted bismuth iron titanate

Rare earth ions; Nd, Sm, Gd, and Dy, are substituted at the bismuth site in bismuth iron titanate, a four-layered compound which belongs to bismuth layer structured ferroelectrics. A solid-state sintering route was adopted in synthesizing the materials. X-ray diffraction indicates the formation of single-phase materials. The dielectric measurements showed the anomalies at high temperatures. Dynamic magnetoelectric measurements showed magnetoelectric output at room temperature and at low temperatures. Thus, the material is ferroelectromagnetic in nature.