Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Visualizing Uniaxial-strain Manipulation of Antiferromagnetic Domains in Fe1+YTe Using a Spin-polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscope
Published on: March 24, 2019
Momentum-Resolved Tunneling Modulation Induced Giant Multistate Resistance in Antiferroelectric Multiferroic Junction
Wei Yang1,2, Yibo Xu1,2, Shen Li1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Spintronics, Hangzhou International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou 311115, China.
Abstract:
Multiferroic tunnel junctions (MFTJs), integrating ferroelectric and ferromagnetic functionalities within a single nanoscale device, hold significant promise for nonvolatile, multistate memory and innovative computing paradigms. In conventional MFTJs, tunneling resistance modulation relies primarily on ferroelectric (FE) polarization switching, which alters interfacial electric fields and shifts the Fermi level of adjacent ferromagnetic electrodes. However, achieving high tunnel electroresistance (TER) through this approach demands strong built-in electric fields, which simultaneously hinder FE polarization switching, creating an intrinsic trade-off between reliable data reading and efficient writing. Here, we propose a dual mechanism that combines antiferroelectric (AFE) phase-transition modulation of the evanescent decay states with interfacial spin filtering based on Fe3GaTe2/bilayer-α-In2Se3/Fe3GaTe2 heterostructure. Beyond altering the electrostatic potential as in AFE-FE switching, the transitions between head-to-head type and tail-to-tail type AFE states preserve the centrosymmetric potential profile yet fundamentally modulate the momentum-resolved distribution of evanescent decay rates across the Brillouin zone. When integrated with perfect spin filtering at the Fe3GaTe2/α-In2Se3 interface, this mechanism yields a giant TER (∼7.6 × 103%), over 4 times that of conventional FE-based MFTJs, and a TMR exceeding 6.8 × 105%, enhanced by 2 orders of magnitude over typical MFTJs. These mechanisms resolve the performance trade-off in MFTJs, enabling six distinct nonvolatile resistance states at room temperature.
More Related Videos
11:33All-electronic Nanosecond-resolved Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: Facilitating the Investigation of Single Dopant Charge Dynamics
Published on: January 19, 2018
05:39Scalable Quantum Integrated Circuits on Superconducting Two-Dimensional Electron Gas Platform
Published on: August 2, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Ferromagnetism
Biasing of Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
In Schottky junctions, where the semiconductor is n-type, applying a positive voltage to the metal relative to the semiconductor reduces its Fermi...
Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
Schottky Barriers
Schottky barriers arise when a metal with a work function (Φm) contacts a semiconductor with a different work function (Φs). Initially, electrons transfer until the Fermi levels of the metal and semiconductor align at equilibrium. For instance, if Φm > Φs, the semiconductor Fermi level is higher than the metal's before contact. The...
MOSFET: Enhancement Mode
In their basic form, enhancement-mode MOSFETs are typically non-conductive when the gate-source voltage (Vgs) is zero. This default 'off' state means no...
Biasing of P-N Junction
In equilibrium, no external voltage is applied across the p-n junction. The depletion region is formed at the junction interface due to the diffusion of carriers, which leaves behind charged dopants, acceptors on the p-side, and donors on the n-side. These immobile charges create an electric field that prevents further diffusion of carriers. The related energy band...
P-N junction