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Domain structures and magnetoelectric effects in multiferroic nanostructures

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Abstract

Multiferroic nanostructures have been attracting tremendous attention not only for novel phenomena associated with fundamental physics, but also due to exciting application potentials in future nanoelectronic devices. In this mini-review, we first introduce several fabrication techniques recently developed for single phase and composite multiferroic nanostructures. Then, the topologic vortex domain structures in various ferroic nanostructures, which may bring about additional fundamental discoveries and applications in ultrahigh density recording, are discussed. Particular attention is paid to magnetoelectric effects in multiferroic nanodots, including room temperature electric field induced magnetic domain switching. Finally, existing challenges and new directions, e.g., cross-couplings among multiple functionalities, are prospected. We genuinely hope that this mini-review will arouse the readers’ interest in this fascinating field.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51272078, 51431006), the Project for Guangdong Province Universities and Colleges Pearl River Scholar Funded Scheme (2014), Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province (Grant No. 2015B090927006), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (Grant No. 2016A030308019), and the International Science & Technology Cooperation Platform Program of Guangzhou (Grant No. 2014J4500016).

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  1. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China

    Deyang Chen & Xingsen Gao

  2. Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China

    Jun-Ming Liu

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Correspondence to Xingsen Gao or Jun-Ming Liu.

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Chen, D., Gao, X. & Liu, JM. Domain structures and magnetoelectric effects in multiferroic nanostructures. MRS Communications 6, 330–340 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2016.39

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