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.

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