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Quasi-static Modulation of Multiferroic Properties in Flexible Magnetoelectric Cr2O3/Muscovite Heteroepitaxy, Acta Materialia243,15,118509(2023)
Yu-Hong Lai, Pao-Wen Shao, Chang-Yang Kuo, Cheng-En Liu, Zhiwei Hu, Chen Luo, Kai Chen, Florin Radu, Yong-Jyun Wang, Junding Zheng, Chungang Duan, Chun-Fu Chang, Li Chang, Yi-Chun Chen, Sang-Wook Cheong, Ying-Hao Chu*
2023/12/31
Due to the strong coupling between electrical polarization and magnetization, magnetoelectric materials show promising features for low-power spintronics and ultra-sensitive magnetic sensors. Compared to the conventional tunning of magnetoelectricity, this work presents a modulation of magnetic and electric orders in magnetoelectric material through a quasi-static mechanical strain. To acquire this, linear magnetoelectric Cr2O3 film is fabricated epitaxially on muscovite substrates. Taking the natural flexibility of muscovite, applying a strain to the heterostructure is feasible via mechanical bending. In the bending experiment, the magnetization of Cr2O3 film can be enhanced significantly, and the techniques of X-ray absorption dichroism unveil insights with support from theoretical predictions. Besides, the electric polarization and magnetoelectric coupling of Cr2O3 can also be adjusted by mechanical bending. This work offers a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between quasi-static strain and magnetic and electrical behaviors and opens a new aspect of the combination between magnetoelectric materials and flexible substrates for future development.