Electric field modulation of spin-flop behaviors in Co/Ru/Co/PMN-PT(011) artificial multiferroic heterostructures

Various attempts to realize electric field controlled energy-saving spintronic devices have been made in recent years. Artificial multiferroic heterostructures have attracted much attention because of its ability to control magnetization by an electric field due to the inverse magnetoelectric effect. In this study, as a new artificial multiferroic heterostructure, we investigate the electric field effects on the magnetic properties of a synthetic antiferromagnet composed of Co/Ru/Co deposited on ferroelectric (011) oriented Pb(Mg
1/3
Nb
2/3
)O
3
-PbTiO
3
. Spin-flop transition, which is characteristic of interlayer coupled synthetic antiferromagnets, is observed. The magnetic field direction at which the spin-flop behavior occurs is rotated by 90° upon the application of an electric field. The results are promising to be used in next-generation spintronic devices.