Multiferroicity and 180° magnetization switching in LaFeO3 via antisite defects

Materials exhibiting coexisting and coupled ferroelectric and magnetic orders are rare. Here we show, using density functional theory calculations, that introducing FeLa antisite defects into pristine, non-ferroelectric, G-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) LaFeO3 renders the material simultaneously ferroelectric and a defect-induced local ferrimagnetic phase. We assess the thermodynamic stability of FeLa antisites and identify synthesis conditions under which they are likely to form. Nudged elastic band calculations indicate an accessible barrier for ferroelectric polarization switching. Interestingly, we observe an inverse magnetoelectric coupling in which the ferroelectric polarization controls the magnetic order. We further propose two defect-mediated magnetization-control mechanisms enabled by ferroelectric switching in LaFeO3, both involving a 180° reversal: (i) switching the FeLa antisite moments while the pristine G-type AFM order remains unchanged, and (ii) of the pristine G-type AFM order while the FeLa antisite moments are pinned by a static magnetic field. In both cases, exchange coupling between the antisite and pristine Fe sublattices enables magnetization switching, highlighting a defect-engineering route to electrically controlled magnetic states for data storage.