Ferroelectricity induced by spin-dependent metal-ligand hybridization in Ba₂CoGe₂O₇.

We have investigated the variation of induced ferroelectric polarization under a magnetic field with various directions and magnitudes in a staggered antiferromagnet Ba₂CoGe₂O₇. While the ferroelectric polarization cannot be explained by the well-accepted spin current model nor the exchange striction mechanism, we have shown that it is induced by the spin-dependent p-d hybridization between the transition metal (Co) and ligand (O) via the spin-orbit interaction. On the basis of the correspondence between the direction of electric polarization and the magnetic state, we have also demonstrated the electrical control of the magnetization direction.