Magnetoelectric memory with optical readout: LiCoPO4

ORAL

Abstract

One of the goals of multiferroic research is the development of new devices that take advantage of the coupling between magnetization and electric polarization. For instance in magnetoelectric (ME) memory devices the magnetic bits can be controlled by electric fields without the need to apply electric currents. We demonstrate the optical readout of ME memory states in the antiferromagnetic (AFM) and antiferroelectric (AFE) LiCoPO4, based on the strong absorption difference of THz radiation between its two types of ME domains. This unusual contrast is attributed to the dynamic ME effect of the spin-wave excitations, as confirmed by our microscopic model. Our proof-of-principle study demonstrates the control and the optical readout of ME domains in LiCoPO4 and layes the foundation for future ME devices based on AFE-AFM insulators.

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Presenters

  • Urmas Nagel

    National Institute of Chemical Physics & Biophysics, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics

Authors

  • Urmas Nagel

    National Institute of Chemical Physics & Biophysics, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics

  • Vilmos Kocsis

    RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS)

  • Toomas Room

    National Institute of Chemical Physics & Biophysics, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics

  • Karlo Penc

    Institute for Solid State Physics and Optics, Wigner Research Center for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest University of Technology and Economics

  • Jakub Vit

    Budapest University of Technology and Economics

  • Judit Romhanyi

    Okinawa Inst of Sci & Tech

  • Yusuke Tokunaga

    RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), Department of Advanced Materials Science, University of Tokyo

  • Yasujiro Taguchi

    RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), CEMS, RIKEN

  • Yoshinori Tokura

    RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), CEMS, RIKEN, RIKEN, Department of Applied Physics and Quantum Phase Electronics Center, University of Tokyo, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), RIKEN, Department of Applied Physics and Quantum Phase Electronics Center (QPEC), University of Tokyo

  • Istvan Kezsmarki

    Experimental Physics 5, Center for Electronic Correlations and Magnetism, Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, University of Augsburg

  • Sandor Bordäcs

    Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Physics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics and MTA-BME