Two-dimensional magnetic nanoelectromechanical resonators

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates 2D CrI3 nanoelectromechanical resonators whose mechanical resonances are influenced by magnetic states, enabling magnetic detection and control at the nanoscale.

Contribution

It introduces magnetic 2D NEMS made of CrI3, showing how their resonances depend on magnetic states and how strain can tune magnetism.

Findings

Resonance frequency depends on magnetic state and field orientation.

Strain can efficiently tune magnetism via inverse magnetostrictive effect.

Establishes mechanical detection of magnetism and phase transitions in 2D materials.

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials possess outstanding mechanical, electronic and optical properties, making them ideal materials for nanoelectromechanical applications. The recent discovery of 2D magnetic materials has promised a new class of magnetically active nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). Here we demonstrate resonators made of 2D CrI3, whose mechanical resonances depend on the magnetic state of the material. We quantify the underlining effects of exchange and anisotropy magnetostriction by measuring the field dependence of the resonance frequency under a magnetic field parallel and perpendicular to the easy axis, respectively. Furthermore, we show efficient strain tuning of magnetism in 2D CrI3 as a result of the inverse magnetostrictive effect using the NEMS platform. Our results establish the basis for mechanical detection of magnetism and magnetic phase transitions in 2D layered magnetic materials. The new magnetic NEMS may also find applications in magnetic actuation and sensing.