Multi-state data storage in a two-dimensional stripy antiferromagnet implemented by magnetoelectric effect

In a magneto-electric material, the magnetic and electric properties are coupled. This coupling allows the magnetic order to be controlled by electric stimuli, making magnetoelectric materials promising candidates for new data storage technologies. Here Gu et al demonstrate a magnetoelectric effect in a van der Waals antiferromagnetic CrOCl which persists down to monolayer, and using this realize a multi-state data storage device. A promising approach to the next generation of low-power, functional, and energy-efficient electronics relies on novel materials with coupled magnetic and electric degrees of freedom. In particular, stripy antiferromagnets often exhibit broken crystal and magnetic symmetries, which may bring about the magnetoelectric (ME) effect and enable the manipulation of intriguing properties and functionalities by electrical means. The demand for expanding the boundaries of data storage and processing technologies has led to the development of spintronics toward two-dimensional (2D) platforms. This work reports the ME effect in the 2D stripy antiferromagnetic insulator CrOCl down to a single layer. By measuring the tunneling resistance of CrOCl on the parameter space of temperature, magnetic field, and applied voltage, we verified the ME coupling down to the 2D limit and probed its mechanism. Utilizing the multi-stable states and ME coupling at magnetic phase transitions, we realize multi-state data storage in the tunneling devices. Our work not only advances the fundamental understanding of spin-charge coupling, but also demonstrates the great potential of 2D antiferromagnetic materials to deliver devices and circuits beyond the traditional binary operations.

Automated summary

The authors demonstrate a magnetoelectric effect in a van der Waals antiferromagnetic CrOCl material, which allows for multi-state data storage. This material shows promise for new data storage technologies with low power consumption, functionality, and high energy efficiency.