Electric field effects on magnetotransport properties of multiferroic Py/YMnO3/Pt heterostructures

TL;DR

This study investigates how applying an electric field influences the exchange bias in multiferroic heterostructures composed of YMnO3, Py, and Pt, revealing electric control over magnetic properties.

Contribution

It demonstrates electric field modulation of exchange bias in YMnO3-based heterostructures, highlighting the interplay between ferroelectricity and magnetism in these materials.

Findings

Electric field suppresses the exchange bias field.

The effect depends on the amplitude and polarity of the electric field.

Current leakage across the ferroelectric layer influences the observed phenomena.

Abstract

We report on the exchange bias between antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric hexagonal YMnO3 epitaxial thin films sandwiched between a metallic electrode (Pt) and a soft ferromagnetic layer (Py). Anisotropic magnetoresistance measurements are performed to monitor the presence of an exchange bias field. When the heteroestructure is biased by an electric field, it turns out that the exchange bias field is suppressed. We discuss the dependence of the observed effect on the amplitude and polarity of the electric field. Particular attention is devoted to the role of current leakage across the ferroelectric layer.