Large-scale epitaxy of two-dimensional van der Waals room-temperature ferromagnet Fe5GeTe2

Abstract

In recent years, two-dimensional van der Waals materials have emerged as an important platform for the observation of long-range ferromagnetic order in atomically thin layers. Although heterostructures of such materials can be conceived to harness and couple a wide range of magneto-optical and magneto-electrical properties, technologically relevant applications require Curie temperatures at or above room temperature and the ability to grow films over large areas. Here we demonstrate the large-area growth of single-crystal ultrathin films of stoichiometric Fe5GeTe2 on an insulating substrate using molecular beam epitaxy. Magnetic measurements show the persistence of soft ferromagnetism up to room temperature in 12 nm-thick films, with a Curie temperature of 293 K, and a weak out-of-plane magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The ferromagnetic order is preserved in bilayer Fe5GeTe2, with Curie temperature decreasing to 229 K. Surface, chemical, and structural characterizations confirm the layer-by-layer growth, 5:1:2 Fe:Ge:Te stoichiometric elementary composition, and single-crystalline character of the films.