Magnetoelectric Coupling Based Caloric Effect in Multiferroic GdFeO3

We report an experimental demonstration of the magnetoelectric coupling based caloric effect (MCCE) in multiferroic GdFeO3, where the magnetism and ferroelectric polarization are controllable by an external electric field. The temperature of the magnetic material changes when an external electric field is suddenly changed. The temperature dependence of MCCE in a constant magnetic field exhibits a peak below the ordering temperature of Gd moments, where the spin-driven ferroelectricity sets in. The peak temperature is modified with the external magnetic field. Energy-dissipation due to Joule heating in MCCE is expected to be small. The observed MCCE shows a higher energy efficiency than typical magnetocaloric effects and adiabatic nuclear demagnetization at similar temperatures. The present findings provide a proof of concept of MCCE in multiferroics.