Atomic-scale probe of molecular magneto-electric coupling

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a nanoscale method to probe and understand magneto-electric coupling in ferroelectric heterostructures, revealing an intrinsic mechanism for electric-magnetic interaction at the atomic level.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach using scanning tunneling microscopy to measure magneto-electric coupling at the nanoscale in ferroelectric heterostructures.

Findings

Identified a structural, material-independent mechanism for magneto-electric coupling.

Demonstrated nanometer-precision sampling of electric-magnetic interactions.

Uncovered intrinsic coupling mechanisms at the atomic interface.

Abstract

Van der Waals heterostructures are a core tool in quantum material design. The recent addition of monolayer ferroelectrics expands the possibilities of designer materials. Ferroelectric domains can be manipulated using electric fields, thus opening a route for external control over material properties. In this paper we explore the possibility of engineering magneto-electric coupling in ferroelectric heterostructures by studying the interface of bilayer SnTe with iron phthalocyanine molecules as a model system. The molecules act as sensor spins, allowing us to sample the magneto-electric coupling with nanometer precision through scanning tunneling microscopy. Our measurements uncover a structural, and therefore material-independent and intrinsic, mechanism to couple electric and magnetic degrees of freedom at the nanoscale.