Abstract
Controlling magnetism of two-dimensional multiferroics by an external electric field provides special opportunities for both fundamental research and future development of low-cost electronic nanodevices. Here, we report a general scheme for realizing a magnetic phase transition in 2D type-I multiferroic systems through the reversal of ferroelectric polarization. Based on first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that a single-phase 2D multiferroic, namely, monolayer, exhibits two different low-symmetric () phases with opposite in-plane electric polarization and different magnetic order. As a result, an antiferromagnetic-to-ferromagnetic phase transition can be realized by reversing the in-plane electric polarization through the application of an external electric field. These findings not only enrich the 2D multiferroic family, but also uncover a unique and general mechanism to control magnetism by electric field, thus stimulating experimental interest.
- Received 21 July 2019
- Revised 12 November 2019
- Accepted 3 January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.067602
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