Deterministic and Robust Room–temperature Exchange Coupling in Monodomain Multiferroic BiFeO<sub>3</sub> Heterostructures

ORAL

Abstract

Exploiting multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films in spintronic devices requires deterministic and robust control of both the internal magnetoelectric coupling in BFO as well as exchange coupling of its antiferromagnetic (AF) order to a ferromagnetic overlayer. Previous reports of exchange coupling in films have utilized approaches based on multistep ferroelectric (FE) switching with multiple FE domains. Because domain walls can be responsible for fatigue, can contain localized charges either intrinsically or via defects, and present issues for device reproducibility and scaling, an alternative approach using a monodomain magnetoelectric state with single–step switching is desirable for practical devices. Here we demonstrate RT, deterministic and robust exchange coupling between monodomain BFO films and a Co overlayer that is “intrinsic” (without domain walls). Direct coupling between AF order in BFO and Co magnetization leads to ~90° in–plane Co moment rotation upon single-step FE switching, reproducible for hundreds of cycles[1]. This has important consequences for useful BFO-based magnetoelectric devices.

[1] Nat. Comm. (in press).

*ARO #W911NF-10-1-0362 & W911NF-13-1-0486, Diamond LS props nt12084, 13225 & si11589, ISIS prop RB1600019, US DOE #DEAC02-06CH11357 & DE-FG02-03ER46097.

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Presenters

  • Bruce Davidson

    • Physics, Temple University

Authors

  • Bruce Davidson

    • Physics, Temple University

  • Wittawat Saenrang

    • Matls Sci & Eng, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Francesco Maccherozzi

    • Diamond Light Source
    • Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus

  • Jacob P. Podkaminer Podkaminer

    • Matls Sci & Eng, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Julian Irwin

    • Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Physics, University of Wisconsin
    • Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Roger Johnson

    • Physics, University of Oxford

  • John Freeland

    • Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory
    • Argonne Natl Lab
    • Argonne National Lab
    • Argonne National Laboratory
    • APS, Argonne National Lab
    • X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory
    • Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab

  • Jorge Íñiguez

    • Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology
    • Matls Res & Tech, Luxembourg Institute of Sci & Tech

  • Jonathan Schad

    • Matls Sci & Eng, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Kellan Reierson

    • Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Joshua Frederick

    • Matls Sci & Eng, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Carlos Vaz

    • Swiss Light Source, PSI

  • Ludovic Howald

    • Swiss Light Source, PSI

  • Tae Heon Kim

    • Matls Sci & Eng, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • MS&E, University of Wisconsin

  • Sangwoo Ryu

    • Matls Sci & Eng, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Michel Van Veenendaal

    • Physics, Northern Illinois University

  • Paolo Radaelli

    • Physics, University of Oxford
    • Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford

  • Sarnjeet Dhesi

    • Diamond Light Source
    • Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus

  • Mark Rzchowski

    • Univ of Wisconsin, Madison
    • Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Physics, Univ of Wisconsin, Madison
    • Physics, University of Wisconsin
    • Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Chang-Beom Eom

    • University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Univ of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Univ of Wisconsin, Madison
    • Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Matls Sci & Eng, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • University of Wisconsin
    • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • University of Wisconsin–Madison
    • MS&E, University of Wisconsin
    • Physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison
    • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison