Infrared phonon signatures of multiferroicity in TbMn₂O₅

The infrared (IR) active phonons in multiferroic TbMn₂O₅ are studied as a function of temperature. Most of the symmetry allowed IR modes polarized along the a and b crystal axes are observed and the behavior of several b polarized phonons is correlated with the magnetic and ferroelectric transitions. A high frequency b polarized phonon only Raman allowed in the paraelectric phase becomes IR active at the ferroelectric transition. The IR strength of this mode is proportional to the square of the ferroelectric order parameter and gives a sensitive measure of the symmetry lowering lattice distortions in the ferroelectric phase.