Edge non-collinear magnetism in nanoribbons of Fe3GeTe2 and Fe3GaTe2

TL;DR

This paper investigates nanoribbons of Fe3GeTe2 and Fe3GaTe2, revealing non-collinear edge magnetism and demonstrating efficient magnetization control, which could advance spintronic and memory device technologies.

Contribution

It uncovers non-collinear magnetic ordering at the edges of these nanoribbons and shows rapid, low-current magnetization reversal, a novel insight for 2D magnetic materials.

Findings

Edge non-collinear magnetic order observed

Magnetic torques generated at edges independent of polarization

Low-current magnetization reversal demonstrated

Abstract

Fe3GeTe2 and Fe3GaTe2 are ferromagnetic conducting materials of van der Waals-type with unique magnetic properties that are highly promising for the development of new spintronic, orbitronic and magnonic devices. Even in the form of two-dimensional-like ultrathin films, they exhibit relatively high Curie temperature, magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to the atomic planes and multiple types of Hall effects. We explore nanoribbons made from single layers of these materials and show that they display non-collinear magnetic ordering at their edges. This magnetic inhomogeneity allows angular momentum currents to generate magnetic torques at the sample edges, regardless of their polarization direction, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of magnetization manipulation in these systems. We also demonstrate that it is possible to rapidly reverse the magnetization direction of these nanostructures by means of spin-orbit and spin-transfer torques with rather low current densities, making them quite propitious for non-volatile magnetic memory units.