Optically switched magnetism in photovoltaic perovskite CH$_3$NH$_3$(Mn:Pb)I$_3$

TL;DR

This paper reports a new ferromagnetic photovoltaic material, CH$_3$NH$_3$(Mn:Pb)I$_3$, where light can rapidly control magnetic order without heating, promising for low-power optical magnetic devices.

Contribution

It introduces a novel ferromagnetic photovoltaic material with optically switchable magnetism via electron interactions, without thermal effects.

Findings

Photo-excited electrons melt magnetic order rapidly

Magnetic control achieved without heating the spin system

Potential for low-power light-controlled magnetic devices

Abstract

The demand for ever-increasing density of information storage and speed of manipulation boosts an intense search for new magnetic materials and novel ways of controlling the magnetic bit. Here, we report the synthesis of a ferromagnetic photovoltaic CH$_3$NH$_3$(Mn:Pb)I$_3$ material in which the photo-excited electrons rapidly melt the local magnetic order through the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interactions without heating up the spin system. Our finding offers an alternative, very simple and efficient way of optical spin control, and opens an avenue for applications in low power, light controlling magnetic devices.