# Strain-mediated magnetoelectric effect for the electric-field control of magnetic states in nanomagnets

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates through simulations that strain-mediated magnetoelectric effects can enable electric-field control of magnetic states in nanomagnets, leading to stable vortex states and fast, low-power switching for spintronics.

## Contribution

The study introduces a computational approach showing electric-field-induced, nonvolatile magnetic state control in nanomagnets via strain-mediated effects, with detailed switching dynamics.

## Key findings

- Electric field can induce stable vortex states in nanomagnets.
- 180° magnetization switching can be achieved with electric pulses.
- Switching times less than 10 ns are possible.

## Abstract

Electric-field control of magnetism without electric currents potentially revolutionizes spintronics towards ultralow power. Here by using mechanically coupled phase field simulations, we computationally demonstrate the application of the strain-mediated magnetoelectric effect for the electric-field control of magnetic states in heterostructure. In the model heterostructure constituted of the soft nanomagnet Co and the piezoelectric substrate PMN-PT, both the volatility of magnetic states and the magnetization switching dynamics excited by the electric field are explored. It is found that an electric field can drive the single-domain nanomagnet into an equilibrium vortex state. The nanomagnet remains in the vortex state even after removing the electric field or applying a reverse electric field, i.e. the vortex state is extremely stable and nonvolatile. Only by utilizing the precessional magnetization dynamics, the 180$^\circ$ magnetization switching is possible in small-sized nanomagnets which are free of the stable vortex state. Electric-field pulses can realize the deterministic 180$^\circ$ switching if the electric-field magnitude, pulse width, and ramp time are carefully designed. The minimum switching time is found to be less than 10 ns. These results provide useful information for the design of low-power, reliable, and fast electric-field-controlled spintronics.