Engineering magnetism on graphene nanoribbons by electric field

Manipulating magnetism by means of the electric field is one of the ideal ways for spintronics device applications due to its precise controllable nature. We report theoretical studies of the electronic and magnetic properties of lightly doped zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons [1] under the electric field in the ribbon width direction. Such setting imposes strong tendency to charge inhomogeneity and thus can dramatically tune the complex correlation between the spin- and charge-density waves, giving rise to a number of novel phases with distinct unusual magnetic and electronic features. Their robustness for a wide range of parameters and room temperature also facilitate their application potential.

[1] W.-C. Chen et al., Nano Letters 17, 4400 (2017)