  A large spin-orbit coupling is a way to control strong magnetodielectric (MD)
coupling in a higher d-orbital materials. However reports are rare on such
compounds due to often leaky conductive behavior. Here, we demonstrate MD
coupling in a Ru-based 6H-perovskite system, Ba3NdRu2O9. The rare-earth ion in
a 6H-perovskite makes the system insulating enough to carry out MD
investigation. The compound is ferromagnetically ordered below 24 K (TC),
followed by another magnetic feature at T~ 17 K (T2). The dielectric constant
clearly traces the magnetic ordering, manifesting a peak at the onset of TC,
which is suppressed by the application of an external magnetic field (H). The
results indicate the presence of MD coupling in this compound, which is further
confirmed by the H-dependence of the dielectric constant. Interestingly, a
cross-over of the sign of MD coupling is observed at T ~ T2. We conclude that
two different mechanism controls the MD coupling which yields positive and
negative coupling, respectively. Both mechanisms are competing as a function of
temperature and magnetic field. This brings us a step closer to design and
control the magnetodielectric effect in 6H-perovskites containing higher
d-orbital elements.
