Nanoelectronics with Two Dimensional Magnets

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in 2D magnetic materials for spintronic applications, highlighting advances in magnetic phases, device functionalities, and energy-efficient switching mechanisms at the nanoscale.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in 2D magnets, emphasizing their potential for tunable, energy-efficient spintronic devices and new mechanisms for magnetization control.

Findings

Enhanced Curie temperatures and magnetic anisotropy in 2D magnets.

Demonstration of field-free spin orbit torque switching.

Potential for neuromorphic and quantum spintronic architectures.

Abstract

Two dimensional (2D) magnets have emerged as a compelling platform for spin based nanoelectronics, enabling atomic scale control of magnetic order, interfaces, quantum geometry, and symmetry. Here, we highlight recent advances in 2D ferromagnets, antiferromagnets, altermagnets, and related magnetic phases, emphasizing how enhanced Curie temperatures, perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, and unconventional magnetic orders translate into device relevant functionality. Spin dependent transport in vertical magnetic tunnel junctions and lateral spin valves based on 2D heterostructures are discussed, where atomically sharp interfaces enable highly tunable spin injection, propagation, and detection. We further focused on field free energy efficient spin orbit torque magnetization switching in 2D magnetic heterostructures, in which unconventional spin currents originate from an adjacent low symmetry spin orbit layer. Microscopic mechanisms involving symmetry breaking, Berry curvature, and orbital angular momentum transport are discussed, along with key challenges, including switching determinism and torque efficiency. Materials and device design strategies targeting neuromorphic, hybrid quantum spintronic, and multifunctional architectures are outlined. Collectively, these developments position 2D magnets as a promising candidate for tunable, energy efficient integrated spintronic technologies that can harness intertwined spin, charge, orbital, and topological degrees of freedom at the nanoscale.