Magnetization vector manipulation by electric fields

D. Chiba, M. Sawicki, Y. Nishitani, Y. Nakatani, F. Matsukura and H. Ohno ()
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D. Chiba: Semiconductor Spintronics Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Sanban-cho 5, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
M. Sawicki: Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
Y. Nishitani: Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
Y. Nakatani: University of Electro-communications, Chofugaoka 1-5-1, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan
F. Matsukura: Semiconductor Spintronics Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Sanban-cho 5, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
H. Ohno: Semiconductor Spintronics Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Sanban-cho 5, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan

Nature, 2008, vol. 455, issue 7212, 515-518

Abstract: Playing the field In conventional semiconductor devices, conductivity is controlled by electric fields. To add functionality, which could lead to devices that combine data processing and non-volatile memory, there is significant interest in finding ways of using electrical fields to control magnetization as well. Such control has been achieved indirectly by resorting to magnetostriction, a change in magnetization induced by mechanically generated strain, but this is not suitable for practical applications. Chiba et al. now demonstrate a direct approach; they find that the magnetic anisotropy in the ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga,Mn)As is dependent on charge carrier density, and that this parameter can be varied using an electric field. By applying a varying electric field it is possible to switch between stable directions of magnetization.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1038/nature07318

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