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Lateral exchange bias for Néel-vector control in atomically thin antiferromagnets.
Clément Pellet-Mary1, Debarghya Dutta2, Märta A Tschudin2
1Department of Physics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. clement.pellet-mary@unibas.ch.
Nature Communications
|November 4, 2025
Summary
Researchers controlled the Néel vector in antiferromagnetic (AF) van der Waals (vdW) magnets using lateral exchange bias. This breakthrough enables non-volatile manipulation of magnetic domains in atomically thin AFs for advanced spintronics.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Spintronics
Background:
- Antiferromagnetic (AF) van der Waals (vdW) magnets offer potential for ultrafast and robust spintronic devices.
- A key limitation is the lack of deterministic methods to control their order parameter, the Néel vector.
Purpose of the Study:
- To achieve local and deterministic control of the Néel vector in vdW AF bilayers.
- To establish a nanoscale manipulation toolkit for atomically thin AFs.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing lateral exchange bias (LEB) in CrSBr vdW AF bilayers.
- Exploiting single-crystalline registry in terraced CrSBr samples.
- Manipulating the Néel vector via magnetic fields applied to neighboring odd-layered flakes.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated Néel vector control in CrSBr bilayers through LEB.
- Achieved non-volatile manipulation of magnetic domains and domain walls.
- Established a nanoscale control mechanism for AF order.
Conclusions:
- Lateral exchange bias provides a novel mechanism for atomic-scale control of AF order.
- This work challenges conventional understanding of exchange bias.
- Paves the way for advanced spintronic architectures and quantum technologies using vdW magnets.
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