Strain-mediated electrical control of magnetization in micron-scale nickel ring on PMN-PT

Abstract

The magnetic “onion” state in a micron-scale ferromagnetic ring on a piezoelectric substrate is controlled with electrically induced anisotropic strains. Two perpendicular ferroelectric strains imposed on the ring produce magnetoelastic energy sufficient to overcome the magnetic energy barrier and reorient the magnetic state along the new easy axis of magnetization. A 45° rotation of the magnetic onion state is achieved and is measured by Photo-Emission Electron Microscopy (PEEM), marking the first demonstration of deterministic control of magnetization using multiferroic rings.