Anti-symmetric Compton scattering in LiNiPO4: Towards a direct probe of the magneto-electric multipole moment

Background: Magnetoelectric multipoles, which break both space-inversion and time-reversal symmetries, play an important role in the magnetoelectric response of a material. Motivated by uncovering the underlying fundamental physics of the magnetoelectric multipoles and the possible technological applications of magnetoelectric materials, understanding as well as detecting such magnetoelectric multipoles has become an active area of research in condensed matter physics. Here we employ the well-established Compton scattering effect as a possible probe for the magnetoelectric toroidal moments in LiNiPO4. Methods: We employ combined theoretical and experimental techniques to compute as well as detect the antisymmetric Compton profile in LiNiPO4. For the theoretical investigation we use density functional theory to compute the anti-symmetric part of the Compton profile for the magnetic and structural ground state of LiNiPO4. For the experimental verification, we measure the Compton signals for a single magnetoelectric domain sample of LiNiPO4, and then again for the same sample with its magnetoelectric domain reversed. We then take the difference between these two measured signals to extract the antisymmetric Compton profile in LiNiPO4. Results: Our theoretical calculations indicate an antisymmetric Compton profile in the direction of the ty toroidal moment in momentum space, with the computed antisymmetric profile around four orders of magnitude smaller than the total profile. The difference signal that we measure is consistent with the computed profile, but of the same order of magnitude as the statistical errors and systematic uncertainties of the experiment. Conclusions: While the weak difference signal in the measurements prevents an unambiguous determination of the antisymmetric Compton profile in LiNiPO4, our results motivate further theoretical work to understand the factors that influence the size of the antisymmetric Compton profile, and to identify materials exhibiting larger effects.

Field-tunable toroidal moment in a chiral-lattice magnet

Ferrotoroidal order, which represents a spontaneous arrangement of toroidal moments, has recently been found in a few linear magnetoelectric materials. However, tuning toroidal moments in these materials is challenging. Here, we report switching between ferritoroidal and ferrotoroidal phases by a small magnetic field, in a chiral triangular-lattice magnet BaCoSiO4 with tri-spin vortices. Upon applying a magnetic field, we observe multi-stair metamagnetic transitions, characterized by equidistant steps in the net magnetic and toroidal moments. This highly unusual ferri-ferroic order appears to come as a result of an unusual hierarchy of frustrated isotropic exchange couplings revealed by first principle calculations, and the antisymmetric exchange interactions driven by the structural chirality. In contrast to the previously known toroidal materials identified via a linear magnetoelectric effect, BaCoSiO4 is a qualitatively new multiferroic with an unusual coupling between several different orders, and opens up new avenues for realizing easily tunable toroidal orders.

Wireless endovascular nerve stimulation with a millimeter-sized magnetoelectric implant

Implanted bioelectronic devices have the potential to treat disorders that are resistant to traditional pharmacological therapies; however, reaching many therapeutic nerve targets requires invasive surgeries and implantation of centimeter-sized devices. Here we show that it is possible to stimulate peripheral nerves from within blood vessels using a millimeter-sized wireless implant. By directing the stimulating leads through the blood vessels we can target specific nerves that are difficult to reach with traditional surgeries. Furthermore, we demonstrate this endovascular nerve stimulation (EVNS) with a millimeter sized wireless stimulator that can be delivered minimally invasively through a percutaneous catheter which would significantly lower the barrier to entry for neuromodulatory treatment approaches because of the reduced risk. This miniaturization is achieved by using magnetoelectric materials to efficiently deliver data and power through tissue to a digitally-programmable 0.8 mm2 CMOS system-on-a-chip. As a proof-of-principle we show wireless stimulation of peripheral nerve targets both directly and from within the blood vessels in rodent and porcine models. The wireless EVNS concept described here provides a path toward minimally invasive bioelectronics where mm-sized implants combined with endovascular stimulation enable access to a number of nerve targets without open surgery or implantation of battery-powered pulse generators.

Long-Term Converse Magnetoelectric Response of Actuated 1-3 Multiferroic Composite Structures

Multiferroic composite materials operating under the principle of strain mediation across the interfaces separating different material boundaries address many limitations of single-phase magnetoelectric materials. Although significant research has been conducted to explore their responses relating to the topography and directionality of material polarization and magnetic loading, there remain unanswered questions regarding the long-term performance of these multiferroic structures. In this study, a multiferroic composite structure consisting of an inner Terfenol-D magnetostrictive cylinder and an outer lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoelectric cylinder was investigated. The composite was loaded over a 45-day period with an AC electric field (20 kV/m) at a near-resonant frequency (32.5 kHz) and a simultaneously applied DC magnetic field of 500 Oe. The long-term magnetoelectric and thermal responses were continuously monitored, and an extensive micrographic analysis of pretest and post-test states was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The extended characterization revealed a significant degradation of ≈30–50% of the magnetoelectric response, whereas SEM micrographs indicated a reduction in the bonding interface quality. The increase in temperature at the onset of loading was associated with the induced oscillatory piezoelectric strain and accounted for 28% of the strain energy loss over nearly one hour.

Nonresonant powering of injectable nanoelectrodes enables wireless deep brain stimulation in freely moving mice

Devices that electrically modulate the deep brain have enabled important breakthroughs in the management of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Such devices are typically centimeter-scale, requiring surgical implantation and wired-in powering, which increases the risk of hemorrhage, infection, and damage during daily activity. Using smaller, remotely powered materials could lead to less invasive neuromodulation. Here, we present injectable, magnetoelectric nanoelectrodes that wirelessly transmit electrical signals to the brain in response to an external magnetic field. This mechanism of modulation requires no genetic modification of neural tissue, allows animals to freely move during stimulation, and uses nonresonant carrier frequencies. Using these nanoelectrodes, we demonstrate neuronal modulation in vitro and in deep brain targets in vivo. We also show that local subthalamic modulation promotes modulation in other regions connected via basal ganglia circuitry, leading to behavioral changes in mice. Magnetoelectric materials present a versatile platform technology for less invasive, deep brain neuromodulation.