Magnetoelectric switching of exchange bias

The perpendicular exchange bias field, H-EB, of the magnetoelectric heterostructure Cr2O3 (111)/ (Co/Pt)(3) changes sign after field cooling to below the Neel temperature of Cr2O3 in either parallel or antiparallel axial magnetic and electric freezing fields. The switching of H-EB is explained by magnetoelectrically induced antiferromagnetic single domains which extend to the interface, where the direction of their end spins controls the sign of H-EB. Novel applications in magnetoelectronic devices seem possible.