Mechanisms of magnetoelectric effects in oxide multiferroics with a perovskite praphase

Magnetoelectric effects are discussed in multiferroics with the perovskite structure: bismuth ferrite, rare-earth orthochromites, and Ruddlesden-Popper structures belonging to the trigonal, orthorhombic, and tetragonal syngonies. The influence of structural distortions on magnetic and ferroelectric properties is studied, possible magnetoelectric effects (linear, quadratic, inhomogeneous) in these materials are determined, and expressions for the linear magnetoelectric effect tensor are given. Macroscopic manifestations of the inhomogeneous magnetoelectric effect in multiferroic nanoelements are considered.