Robust isothermal electric switching of interface magnetization: A route to voltage-controlled spintronics

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a robust, electrically controllable, isothermal switching of surface magnetization in chromia, enabling voltage-controlled spintronic devices through interface exchange coupling with ferromagnetic layers.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for voltage-controlled, isothermal switching of interface magnetization in chromia, advancing spintronics with non-volatile electric control.

Findings

Surface magnetization in chromia is roughness-insensitive and electrically controllable.

Exchange bias in Co/Pd multilayers can be reversibly shifted at room temperature.

Chromia's magnetoelectric properties are promising for spintronic applications.

Abstract

Roughness-insensitive and electrically controllable magnetization at the (0001) surface of antiferromagnetic chromia is observed using magnetometry and spin-resolved photoemission measurements and explained by the interplay of surface termination and magnetic ordering. Further, this surface in placed in proximity with a ferromagnetic Co/Pd multilayer film. Exchange coupling across the interface between chromia and Co/Pd induces an electrically controllable exchange bias in the Co/Pd film, which enables a reversible isothermal (at room temperature) shift of the global magnetic hysteresis loop of the Co/Pd film along the magnetic field axis between negative and positive values. These results reveal the potential of magnetoelectric chromia for spintronic applications requiring non-volatile electric control of magnetization.