Quantum ferroelectricity in charge-transfer complex crystals

Sachio Horiuchi (), Kensuke Kobayashi, Reiji Kumai, Nao Minami, Fumitaka Kagawa and Yoshinori Tokura
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Sachio Horiuchi: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
Kensuke Kobayashi: Condensed Matter Research Center (CMRC) and Photon Factory, Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK)
Reiji Kumai: CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
Nao Minami: The University of Tokyo
Fumitaka Kagawa: CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
Yoshinori Tokura: The University of Tokyo

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Quantum phase transition achieved by fine tuning the continuous phase transition down to zero kelvin is a challenge for solid state science. Critical phenomena distinct from the effects of thermal fluctuations can materialize when the electronic, structural or magnetic long-range order is perturbed by quantum fluctuations between degenerate ground states. Here we have developed chemically pure tetrahalo-p-benzoquinones of n iodine and 4–n bromine substituents (QBr4–nIn, n=0–4) to search for ferroelectric charge-transfer complexes with tetrathiafulvalene (TTF). Among them, TTF–QBr2I2 exhibits a ferroelectric neutral–ionic phase transition, which is continuously controlled over a wide temperature range from near-zero kelvin to room temperature under hydrostatic pressure. Quantum critical behaviour is accompanied by a much larger permittivity than those of other neutral–ionic transition compounds, such as well-known ferroelectric complex of TTF–QCl4 and quantum antiferroelectric of dimethyl–TTF–QBr4. By contrast, TTF–QBr3I complex, another member of this compound family, shows complete suppression of the ferroelectric spin-Peierls-type phase transition.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8469

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