Cross-control of magnetization and polarization by electric and magnetic fields with competing multiferroic and weak-ferromagnetic phases.

From our investigation of magnetoelectric properties of a multiferroic phase in Eu0.75Y0.25MnO3 competing with a weak-ferromagnetic phase in magnetic fields, we found intriguing hysteretic behaviors of physical properties with variation of temperature and magnetic field. These hysteretic behaviors arise from the kinetic arrest (dearrest) processes of the first-order multiferroic-weak-ferromagnetic transition, resulting in frozen (melted) magnetoelectric glass states with coexisting two phases. Tipping the delicate balance of two competing phases by applying electric and magnetic fields leads to a remarkable control of magnetization and electric polarization.