Deterministic and Robust Room–temperature Exchange Coupling in Monodomain Multiferroic BiFeO3 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).

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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