Nanoscale x-ray magnetic circular dichroism probing of electric-field- induced magnetic switching in multiferroic nanostructures

The magnetic structure as well as its response to an external electric field were studied in ferrimagnetic Co Fe2 O4 nanopillars embedded in an epitaxial ferroelectric BiFe O3 film using photoemission electron microscopy and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. Magnetic switching was observed in both Co and Fe magnetic sublattices after application of an electric field. About 50% of the Co Fe2 O4 nanopillars were measured to switch their magnetization with the electric field, implying an elastic-mediated electric-field-induced magnetic anisotropy change. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.