Finite-size effects on the magnetoelectric response of field-driven ferroelectric/ferromagnetic chains

We study theoretically the coupled multiferroic dynamics of one-dimensional ferroelectric/ferromagnet chains driven by harmonic magnetic and electric fields as a function of the chain length. A linear magnetoelectric coupling is dominated by the spin-polarized screening charge at the interface. We performed Monte-Carlo simulations and calculations based on the coupled Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert and Landau-Khalatnikov equations showing that the net magnetization and the total polarization of thin heterostructures, i.e. with up to ten ferroelectric and ferromagnetic sites counted from the interface, can be completely reversed by external electric and magnetic fields, respectively. However, for larger system solely a certain magnetoelectrical control can be achieved.Comment: J. Phys.: Conf. Series. (2011) (to be published

Actio et reactio in optical binding

The symmetry in action and reaction between interacting particulate matter breaks down when the interaction is mediated by an outof-equilibrium environment. Nevertheless, even in this case, the space translational invariance still imposes the conservation of canonical momentum. Here we show that optical binding of an asymmetric material system can result in non-reciprocal interactions between constituents. We demonstrate that a non-conservative force applies to the center of mass of an optically bound dimer of dissimilar particles, which leads to an unexpected action in the transversal direction. The sign and the magnitude of this positional force depend on the abrupt phase transitions in the properties of the asymmetric dimer