Electric-field Controlled Magnetization Switching in Co/Pt thin-Film Ferromagnets

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates reversible electric-field controlled magnetization switching in Co/Pt thin films at room temperature, promising faster and energy-efficient spintronic device applications.

Contribution

It introduces a method to manipulate magnetism in thick ferromagnetic films using electrochemical surface charge, enabling voltage-controlled switching at room temperature.

Findings

Magnetization switching is achieved via voltage-induced surface charge.

Coercivity decreases with increasing negative voltage.

Switching occurs at lower magnetic fields, indicating energy efficiency.

Abstract

A study of dynamic and reversible voltage controlled magnetization switching in ferromagnetic Co/Pt thin film with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy at room temperature is presented. The change in the magnetic properties of the system is observed in a relatively thick film of 15 nm. A surface charge is induced by the formation of electrochemical double layer between the metallic thin film and non-aqueous lithium LiClO4 electrolyte to manipulate the magnetism. The change in the magnetic properties occurred by the application of an external electric field. As the negative voltage was increased, the coercivity and the switching magnetic field decreased thus activating magnetization switching. The results are envisaged to lead to faster and ultra-low power magnetization switching as compared to spin-transfer torque (STT) switching in spintronic devices.