Researchers from North Carolina State University have for the first time integrated a material called bismuth ferrite (BFO) as a single crystal onto a silicon chip, opening the door to a new generation of multifunctional, smart devices.
BFO has both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties, meaning that it can be magnetized by running an electric current through the material. Potential applications for BFO include new magnetic memory devices, smart sensors and spintronics technologies.
Integrating the BFO into the silicon substrate as a single crystal makes the BFO more efficient by limiting the amount of electric charge that “leaks” out of the BFO into the substrate.
“We can now look at developing smart devices that can sense, manipulate and respond to data more quickly because it all happens on one chip”Dr. Jay Narayan, John C. Fan Distinguished Chair Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at NC State
The researchers also found that they can switch the polarity of the BFO’s magnetic field with as little as four volts, which is comparable to the voltage needed in existing integrated circuits. This is a key to developing functional technologies because higher voltages and fields are impractical and use more energy, which could damage and disrupt electronic functions.
Similarly, the researchers found that a low-strength, external magnetic field – measured at 300 Oersted, a unit of magnetic field strength – can also switch the BFO’s polarity. This is significant because external magnetic fields don’t generate heat in the BFO, which could be important for some applications.
This story is reprinted from material from NC State University, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier. Link to original source.