Mechanical control of physical properties in the van der Waals ferromagnet Cr2Ge2Te6 via application of electric current

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that applying electric current to Cr2Ge2Te6, a van der Waals ferromagnet, induces significant, anisotropic changes in its magnetic and lattice properties, revealing a novel magnetoelastic coupling.

Contribution

The paper uncovers a strongly anisotropic magnetoelastic coupling in Cr2Ge2Te6, enabling mechanical control of its magnetic and electronic properties via electric current.

Findings

Electric current induces a swift change in magnetic ground state.

Observation of a giant, anisotropic magnetoelectric effect.

Detection of a lattice-driven quantum switching in I-V characteristics.

Abstract

Cr2Ge2Te6 is a van der Waals ferromagnet with a Curie temperature at 66 K. Here we report a swift change in the magnetic ground state upon application of small DC electric current, a giant yet anisotropic magnetoelectric effect, and a sharp, lattice-driven quantum switching manifested in the I-V characteristic of the bulk single-crystal Cr2Ge2Te6. At the heart of these observed phenomena is a newly uncovered, strongly anisotropic magnetoelastic coupling that enables strongly anisotropic responses of the lattice to application of electric current and/or magnetic field, thus the exotic phenomena in Cr2Ge2Te6. Such a rare mechanical tunability in the magnetic semiconductors promises tantalizing prospects for unique functional materials and devices.