Magnetic spin structure and magnetoelectric coupling in BiFeO{sub 3}-BaTiO{sub 3} multilayer

Magnetic spin structures in epitaxial BiFeO{sub 3} single layer and an epitaxial BaTiO{sub 3}/BiFeO{sub 3} multilayer thin film have been studied by means of nuclear resonant scattering of synchrotron radiation. We demonstrate a spin reorientation in the 15 × [BaTiO{sub 3}/BiFeO{sub 3}] multilayer compared to the single BiFeO{sub 3} thin film. Whereas in the BiFeO{sub 3} film, the net magnetic moment m{sup →} lies in the (1–10) plane, identical to the bulk, m{sup →} in the multilayer points to different polar and azimuthal directions. This spin reorientation indicates that strain and interfaces play a significant role in tuning the magnetic spin order. Furthermore, large difference in the magnetic field dependence of the magnetoelectric coefficient observed between the BiFeO{sub 3} single layer and multilayer can be associated with this magnetic spin reorientation.