Synthesis and characteristics of a phase-change magnetic material

A phase-change magnetic material is synthesized by doping the known Ge-Sb-Te phase-change material with Fe, and its properties are compared with the parent chalcogenide material (see figure). Besides different optical (reflectivity) and electrical properties in the amorphous and crystalline states, its magnetic properties are different in the two states; a fact that can be used to realize the fast control of ferromagnetism by phase change.