Local Structure Influence on Multiferroic Properties*

The multiferroic system (Sr,Ba)(Mn,Ti)O3 is a promising material for multiferroic applications

due to its relatively large electric polarization, its tunable transition temperatures near or above

room temperature, and its strong magnetoelectric coupling. To gain a deeper understanding of

how the local structure influences the multiferroic properties, we have conducted pair

distribution function (PDF) analysis of neutron and x-ray total scattering data collected on

various compositions of (Sr,Ba)(Mn,Ti)O3. We observe short-range ferroelectric distortions that

persist above the static ferroelectric phase, as well as a locally enhanced ferroelectric distortion

on a nanometer length scale in the multiferroic phase. We discuss the implications of these

findings for the multiferroic properties observed in this and similar systems.