Physicists Create Magnetic State in Atomic Layers of Transition Metal Oxide

Yanwei Cao
Photo by University Relations

Yanwei Cao

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Physicists at the University of Arkansas and their collaborators have created a magnetic state in a few atomic layers of artificially synthesized materials known as transition metal oxides.

The research team published its findings on Thursday, Jan. 21, in Nature Communications, an online journal published by the journal Nature.

“The key to the next generation of electronics is fabricating transistors that are multifunctional, meaning that a single electric pulse should be able to trigger multiple actions. For example, they can transition between electronic and magnetic states,” said Jak Chakhalian, a professor of physics who directs the Artificial Quantum Materials Laboratory at the U of A.

“This work opens the door to devices based on junctions of correlated electronic materials beyond our current semiconductor devices,” he said.

Yanwei Cao, a postdoctoral physics research associate in the Artificial Quantum Materials Lab, found a way to produce a novel magnetic state in a few atomic sheets of a transition metal oxide comprised of lanthanum and titanium and nickel. He conducted the experiments at the University of Arkansas and Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago.

The research team included U of A postdoctoral research associates Michael Kareev and Srimanta Middey, doctoral student Xiaoran Liu and recent doctoral graduate Derek Meyers, now at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The team also included Debashish Chowdhury at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, India; and John W. Freeland, Phillip Ryan and Jong-Woo Kim of the Advanced Photon Source.

In 2014, Chakhalian was selected as a quantum materials investigator for the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. His selection came with a $1.8 million grant, a portion of which funded the Nature Communications study.

Contacts

Jak Chakhalian, professor
Department of Physics
479-575-4313, jchakhal@uark.edu

Chris Branam, research communications writer/editor
University Relations
479-575-4737, cwbranam@uark.edu

Headlines

Food Scientists Show Rice Malt Has Potential to Play a Bigger Role in Beer

With Arkansas growing about half of the rice in the United States, and shortages of traditional raw materials such as barley, evaluating rice cultivars for use in malted brewing was one goal of U of A researchers.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Senior Design Projects Reviewed by Alumni

Students condensed their design work into senior design projects and presented them for department alumni and other industry professionals, gaining insights from peers and faculty members.

An Evening With NWA Soldier Songs and Voices: The Healing Power of Music

Members of the Northwest Arkansas chapter of Soldier Songs and Voices will share their experiences and perform music in the Pryor Center atrium at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 5.

University Not Pursuing Full External Management of Custodial and Grounds Services

Following an evaluation process that provided the U of A with the opportunity to learn more about its current operations compared to the market, the university will maintain its current workforce.

NAHJ UARK: Free Churros and Sodas During J-Days Celebration

 The U of A chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists will offer churros and sodas on the north patio of Kimpel Hall from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday. Stop by and support your local journalist.

News Daily