Energetic Couplings in Ferroics

Ferroics include diverse degrees of freedom (such as structural distortions and magnetic moments) among which cross couplings occur, rendering a large variety interesting phenomena. Determining such couplings, based on symmetry analysis, is not only important to interpret observed phenomena but can also result in novel predictions be then experimentally checked. Often, energetic are difficult construct without deep knowledge group theoretical principles. In the present review, crash course toward derivation using much language, provided. Rather, approach relies graphical technique suitable symbolic naturally yields some known (resulting in, e.g., spin/dipole canting, magnetically driven polarization, antipolar/antiferroelectric states). This review reports discusses other symmetry-allowed terms, including leading occurrence an electric polarization materials, “exotic” ones that generate complex phases for example, nanostructures heterostructures.