Spintronics with Multiferroics

Multiferroics belong to a class of compounds that show simultaneous electric and magnetic orders. Multiferroics could be useful for a broad range of applications and have a strong potential for spintronics. Magnetoelectric effect can be used to change the resistance state of a spin-valve or magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) without applying an external magnetic field. In this regard, both ferroelectric ferromagnets and ferroelectric antiferromagnets can be useful. The oxide heterostructures for spintronics combining multiferroic materials like BFO and LBMO, and ferromagnetic metals like SRO and the LSMO half-metal experimental results are presented. The influence of the ferroelectric nature of these barriers on the conductance and tunnel magnetoresistance is illustrated.