Efficient magneto-tunable photocurrent in multiferroics

Abstract

Efficient photocurrent generation in multiferroics Bi6Ti3CoxFe2−xO18 (x = 0.0–0.5) is achieved under the influence of an external magnetic field. By concurrently tracking changes in ferroelectric domain configurations and energy level splitting at room temperature, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the robust photocurrent and dual-band photoresponse (at 355 and 480 nm) are elucidated. In Bi6Ti3Co0.5Fe1.5O18, both the polarization-dependent open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current exhibit enhancements of threefold and fourfold, respectively, under a magnetic field of 1800 Oe. The observed quadratic dependence of photocurrent on magnetic field strength, along with a high magnetic responsivity (R = 72%), offers a promising framework for exploiting multiferroic coupling in next-generation photonic and optoelectronic devices.