Magnetic 2D materials and heterostructures

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent developments in 2D magnetic materials, highlighting their unique properties, the physical phenomena observed, and the new heterostructures enabled by these atomically-thin magnets, expanding the scope of 2D material research.

Contribution

It provides an overview of 2D magnets, compares their magnetic states with bulk crystals, and discusses the novel heterostructures enabled by these materials, focusing on CrI₃ and Fe₃GeTe₂.

Findings

Observation of magnetic phenomena in 2D CrI₃ and Fe₃GeTe₂

Introduction of new van der Waals heterostructures with 2D magnets

Enhanced potential for spintronic applications

Abstract

The family of 2D materials grows day by day, drastically expanding the scope of possible phenomena to be explored in two dimensions, as well as the possible van der Waals heterostructures that one can create. Such 2D materials currently cover a vast range of properties. Until recently, this family has been missing one crucial member - 2D magnets. The situation has changed over the last two years with the introduction of a variety of atomically-thin magnetic crystals. Here we will discuss the difference between magnetic states in 2D materials and in bulk crystals and present an overview of the 2D magnets that have been explored recently. We will focus, in particular, on the case of the two most studied systems - semiconducting CrI$_3$ and metallic Fe$_3$GeTe$_2$ - and illustrate the physical phenomena that have been observed. Special attention will be given to the range of novel van der Waals heterostructures that became possible with the appearance of 2D magnets, offering new perspectives in this rapidly expanding field.