Magnetization switching in ferromagnets by adsorbed chiral molecules without current or external magnetic field.

ABSTRACT: Ferromagnets are commonly magnetized by either external magnetic fields or spin polarized currents. The manipulation of magnetization by spin-current occurs through the spin-transfer-torque effect, which is applied, for example, in modern magnetoresistive random access memory. However, the current density required for the spin-transfer torque is of the order of 1 × 10⁶ A·cm^-2, or about 1 × 10²⁵ electrons s^-1 cm^-2. This relatively high current density significantly affects the devices' structure and performance. Here we demonstrate magnetization switching of ferromagnetic thin layers that is induced solely by adsorption of chiral molecules. In this case, about 10¹³ electrons per cm² are sufficient to induce magneti

SUBMITTER: Ben Dor O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5331337 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature