Multistate nonvolatile straintronics controlled by a lateral electric field

J Phys Condens Matter. 2014 Jul 23;26(29):292202. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/26/29/292202. Epub 2014 Jul 3.

Abstract

We present a multifunctional and multistate permanent memory device based on lateral electric field control of a strained surface. Sub-coercive electrical writing of a remnant strain of a PZT substrate imprints stable and rewritable resistance changes on a CoFe overlayer. A proof-of-principle device, with the simplest resistance strain gage design, is shown as a memory cell exhibiting 17-memory states of high reproducibility and reliability for nonvolatile operations. Magnetoresistance of the film also depends on the cell state, and indicates a rewritable change of magnetic properties persisting in the remnant strain of the substrate. This makes it possible to combine strain, magnetic and resistive functionalities in a single memory element, and suggests that sub-coercive stress studies are of interest for straintronics applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't