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Probing and controlling magnetic states in 2D layered magnetic materials

Nature Reviews Physics volume 1, pages 646–661 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

The discovery of atomic monolayer magnetic materials has triggered significant interest in the magnetism/spintronics and 2D van der Waals materials communities. Here we review recent progress in this rapidly growing field. We survey the physical properties of the large class of layered magnetic materials, and discuss recent advances in the study of these materials in the 2D limit. We then overview the optical and electrical techniques used for probing 2D magnetic materials (for reading their magnetic states) and the mechanisms for reorienting and/or switching 2D magnets by electric fields (for writing). Emerging device concepts based on magnetic van der Waals heterostructures are also discussed. We conclude with the future challenges and opportunities in this area of research.

Key points

  • There is a large class of layered magnetic materials with unique magnetic properties, which provides an ideal platform to study magnetism and spintronics device concepts in the 2D limit.

  • Magneto-optical and electrical probes are powerful techniques for probing or reading the magnetic states of these materials.

  • Because these materials are atomically thin, their magnetic states can be effectively controlled or switched by external perturbations other than magnetic fields, such as electric fields, free carrier doping and strain.

  • New materials concepts, such as magnetizing 2D semiconductors by magnetic proximity coupling, and new devices, such as spin tunnel field-effect transistors, are rapidly emerging.

  • Although rapid progress has already been made, there are many opportunities and challenges remaining in this young field.

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Fig. 1: Crystal structures and types of magnetic order for layered magnetic materials.
Fig. 2: Magneto-optical measurements of 2D magnetism.
Fig. 3: Magneto-optical birefringence and dichroism.
Fig. 4: Electrical readout of 2D magnetic states.
Fig. 5: Reorienting and switching 2D magnets by electric fields.
Fig. 6: Spin transistors and the van der Waals magnetic proximity effect.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support and encouragement of collaborators within the Cornell Centre for Materials Research, funded by the National Science Foundation Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers programme (DMR-1719875).

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Nature Reviews Physics thanks W. Han and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Kin Fai Mak, Jie Shan & Daniel C. Ralph

  2. School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Kin Fai Mak & Jie Shan

  3. Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Kin Fai Mak, Jie Shan & Daniel C. Ralph

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  1. Kin Fai Mak
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All authors co-wrote, discussed and commented on the manuscript.

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Mak, K.F., Shan, J. & Ralph, D.C. Probing and controlling magnetic states in 2D layered magnetic materials. Nat Rev Phys 1, 646–661 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42254-019-0110-y

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