Robust isothermal electric switching of interface magnetization: A route to voltage-controlled spin electronics

ORAL

Abstract

Promising spintronic device concepts utilize the electric control of magnetic interfaces. We present compelling evidence of a roughness-insensitive and electrically controllable ferromagnetic state at the (0001) surface of antiferromagnetic chromia. If this ferromagnetic surface is placed in close proximity with a ferromagnetic Co/Pd multilayer film, exchange coupling across a Pd interlayer induces an electrically controllable unidirectional anisotropy in the Co/Pd film. This electrically controlled exchange bias effect allows for reversible isothermal shifting of the global hysteresis loop of the Co/Pd film along the magnetic field axis from negative to positive values. Supported by NSF through Career DMR-0547887, by NRI, by NSF MRSEC, and by the NRC/NRI supplement. K.D.B. is a Cottrell Scholar of Research Corporation.

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Authors

  • Xi He

    Department of Physics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska

  • Yi Wang

    Department of Physics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska

  • Ning Wu

    University of Nebraska

  • Kirill Belashchenko

    University of Nebraska - Lincoln, University of Nebraska, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • A. Caruso

    University of Nebraska, Brookhaven Nat. Lab., University of Missouri

  • A. Caruso

    University of Nebraska, Brookhaven Nat. Lab., University of Missouri

  • Kirill Belashchenko

    University of Nebraska - Lincoln, University of Nebraska, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • A. Caruso

    University of Nebraska, Brookhaven Nat. Lab., University of Missouri

  • Christian Binek

    University of Nebraska