Magnetoelectric Correlations in Inhomogeneous Multiferroics

Magnetoelectric coupling phenomena in multiferroics were initially treated almost exclusively as bulk effects exhibited by homogeneous materials. In recent years, however, attention has moved to the inhomogeneous distributions of the multiferroic order down to the nanoscale. On the one hand, magnetoelectric phase control ultimately happens on the level of the mostly sub-micrometer-sized domains. On the other hand, domain walls, interfaces and thin films are nanoscale and/or topological objects that have been proving to be the source of intriguing magnetoelectric coupling effects. In my talk, I will therefore explore the fascinating world of magnetoelectric correlations in multiferroics that are inhomogeneous at the nanoscale and demonstrate their enormous potential for new types of correlations. Examples will include [1] a seemingly contradictory coexistence of strong local and forbidden global magnetoelectric coupling; [2] conversion of a multiferroic bulk state into a multiferroic domain wall in a non-multiferroic environment; [3] magnetoelectric transfer of an order parameter with a joking reference to teleportation.