Magnetic and magnetoelectric excitations in multiferroic manganites

We review the recent experimental findings concerning the magnetic and magnetoelectric excitations in multiferroic manganites with special focus on orthorhombic RMnO(3) (R = rare earth). The dynamics of these materials has attracted special attention recently due to the existence of novel magnetoelectric excitations which were termed electromagnons. In addition to the strong electric activity of the electromagnons, a series of other excitations of magnetic and magnetoelectric nature is observed in the same frequency range as the electromagnons. We summarize the systematics of the existing modes and the current understanding of the underlying mechanisms.