Deterministic control of nanomagnetic spiral trajectories using an electric field

The intertwined nature of magnetic and electric degrees of freedom in magnetoelectric (ME) materials is well described by ME-coupling theory. When an external electric field is applied to a ME material, the ME coupling induces unique and intriguing magnetic responses. Such responses underpin the utilisation of ME materials across diverse applications, ranging from electromagnetic sensing to low-energy digital memory technologies. Here, we use small angle neutron scattering and discover a novel magnetic response within an archetypal chiral ME material, Cu₂OSeO₃. We find that the propagation direction of an incommensurate magnetic spiral is deterministically actuated and deflected along controllable trajectories. Furthermore, we predict the emergence of distinct non-linear regimes of spiral-deflection behaviour with external electric and magnetic fields, unlocking innovative devices that leverage controlled and customisable variations in macroscopic polarisation and magnetisation.