Mirror-symmetric magneto-optical kerr rotation using visible light in [(GeTe)2(Sb2Te3)1[n topological superlattices

Abstract

Interfacial phase change memory (iPCM), that has a structure of a superlattice made of alternating atomically thin GeTe and Sb2Te3 layers, has recently attracted attention not only due to its superior performance compared to the alloy of the same average composition in terms of energy consumption but also due to its strong response to an external magnetic field (giant magnetoresistance) that has been speculated to arise from switching between topological insulator (RESET) and normal insulator (SET) phases. Here we report magneto-optical Kerr rotation loops in the visible range, that have mirror symmetric resonances with respect to the magnetic field polarity at temperatures above 380 K when the material is in the SET phase that has Kramers-pairs in spin-split bands. We further found that this threshold temperature may be controlled if the sample was cooled in a magnetic field. The observed results open new possibilities for use of iPCM beyond phase-change memory applications.