The Power of Multiferroics: Unlocking the Potential of Nickel Iodide
Multiferroics, a group of unique materials with magnetoelectric coupling properties, have long been a subject of interest for scientists. These materials have the ability to manipulate magnetic and electric properties interchangeably, making them promising candidates for a variety of advanced technologies such as computer memory, chemical sensors, and quantum computers. In a recent study published in Nature, researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) uncovered the exceptional magnetoelectric coupling capabilities of nickel iodide (NiI2), positioning it as a frontrunner for ultra-fast and compact devices.
Lead author and postdoctoral fellow Frank Gao expressed the challenges of unveiling the atomically thin nickel iodide flakes’ effects but emphasized the significant advancement this discovery brings to the field of multiferroics. Graduate student Xinyue Peng added, “Our discovery paves the way for extremely fast and energy-efficient magnetoelectric devices, including magnetic memories.”
Multiferroics with strong magnetoelectric coupling, like NiI2, hold immense potential for revolutionizing technology. The entanglement of electric and magnetic orders in these materials enables faster, smaller, and more efficient devices. By utilizing ultrashort laser pulses on NiI2, the research team was able to identify and measure the material’s superior magnetoelectric coupling compared to other similar materials.
Exploring the reasons behind NiI2‘s exceptional properties, the team conducted extensive calculations. Co-author Emil Viñas Boström highlighted the significance of spin-orbit coupling and the unique magnetic order in NiI2, known as a spin spiral, in enhancing the material’s magnetoelectric coupling.
The applications of materials like NiI2 are vast and promising. From compact and energy-efficient magnetic computer memory to chemical sensors for quality control in various industries, the potential impact of these discoveries is immense.
With hopes of identifying other materials with similar magnetoelectric properties and enhancing NiI2 further, the researchers believe their insights can pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in technology. This collaborative effort, led by Edoardo Baldini and Angel Rubio, showcases the power of multidisciplinary research in unlocking the potential of materials like nickel iodide.
Supported by various funding sources, including the Robert A. Welch Foundation and the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, this research exemplifies the collaborative efforts of international partners in pushing the boundaries of material science and technology.