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Xiaohong Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Xiaohong Xu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A substrate booster for P-type 2D ferromagnetic semiconductor

Spin transistors with its both charge and spin properties tuned via electrostatic gating are believed capable for widespread use, which however have proven challenging due to the extreme rareness of their physical base -- magnetic semiconductors. The latter are limited within very few systems including diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS) and two-dimensional ferromagnetic semiconductors (2D-FMS), and known to suffer from inadequate gate-tunability of their electric and/or magnetic properties. Here, we show a substrate engineering paradigm by interfacing few-layered Cr$_{2}$Ge$_{2}$Te$_{6}$ (FL-CGT) with an antiferromagnetic insulator CrOCl. Owing to the subtle interfacial charge transfer couplings, CGT can be drastically turned from an ambipolar semiconductor into a high performance P-type semiconductor. When cooled below the Curie temperature, the ON-OFF ratio in such substrate-boosted FMS field-effect transistor (FET) reaches 10$^{5}$ with its coercive field $H_{c}$ of magnetic hysteresis loop tunable by a factor of more than 200$\%$, enabling {gate-assisted magnetic switching in the prototype semiconducting spin transistor architecture}. A crossover from critical power-law scaling to a dual power-law behaviour under heavy hole doping was further observed. Our findings {signify} an efficient interfacial charge transfer and electrically modulated magnetic anisotropy energy supported by calculations. This high performance P-type FMS-FET system suggests that active substrate-boosting paradigm might be a powerful path for the investigation of future gate-tunable spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Interface-Engineered Giant Multistate Resistance Switching in Altermagnetic CrSb Multiferroic Tunnel Junctions

Altermagnets enable spin-split transport without stray magnetic fields, yet converting their momentum-dependent spin splitting into a strong tunnel-junction response requires interface-selected tunneling channels. Here, using density functional theory combined with nonequilibrium Green's function calculations, we demonstrate giant multistate resistance switching in CrSb/$α$-In$_2$Se$_3$ altermagnetic multiferroic tunnel junctions. The response is governed not by the bulk spin splitting of CrSb alone, but by a symmetry-selected interfacial mechanism in which Cr/Sb terminations and \textit{h}-BN or graphene insertion layers determine spin-channel matching, while ferroelectric polarization reshapes the electrostatic barrier. Symmetric and asymmetric terminations reverse the correspondence between parallel/antiparallel Néel-vector configurations and high-/low-resistance states, showing that the actual alignment of interfacial Cr moments selects the dominant tunneling channels. Monolayer-In$_2$Se$_3$ junctions exhibit four nonvolatile resistance states, with tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) and tunneling electroresistance (TER) reaching 1626\% and 2206\%, respectively, and increasing to 9576\% and 4144\% upon Fermi-level shifting. Finite-bias calculations further reveal robust spin filtering and tunable spin-polarized currents. Extending the barrier to bilayer In$_2$Se$_3$ introduces interlayer polarization coupling, enabling eight resistance states with maximum TMR and TER values of $3.77\times10^{4}\%$ and $4.18\times10^{5}\%$, respectively. These results establish interface symmetry, spin-channel matching, and ferroelectric barrier reconstruction as design principles for stray-field-free multistate spintronic tunnel devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Magneto-ionic control of topological transport in SrRuO3 via band topology engineering

The interplay between spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and nontrivial band topology in ferromagnets gives rise to a rich landscape of topological transport phenomena such as anomalous Hall effect (AHE) and topological Hall effect (THE). One central goal in modern spintronics lies in the realization of the active control over topological transport phenomena in a reversible fashion, while unambiguously disentangling respective contributions of THE and AHE to the net Hall effect remains a formidable challenge. Here we establish magneto ionic control as a powerful paradigm for dynamically engineering topological transports in a 4d-orbital SrRuO3 system with sizable SOC and itinerant ferromagnetism. Harnessing controllable protonation or oxygen vacancy incorporation, the Fermi-level upshift relative to avoided band crossings are realized through band filling control, giving rise to tunable reversal temperature of AHE polarity. Of particular note is the emergence of hump like Hall anomalies through extensive ionic doping that can be reversibly switched, irrespective of AHE polarity, providing evidence for a THE signal driven by broken inversion symmetry rather than a two channel AHE. Our findings provide a viable tuning knob for Berry curvature engineering, enabling on demand control of topological transports in strong SOC ferromagnets for low power, reconfigurable all oxide spintronic devices.

cond-mat.str-el

Multi-state electromagnetic phase modulations in NiCo2O4 through cation disorder and hydrogenation

One focal challenge in engineering low-power and scalable all-oxide spintronic devices lies in exploring ferromagnetic oxide material with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and electronic conductivity while exhibiting tunable spin states. Targeting this need, spinel nickel cobaltite (NiCo2O4, NCO), featured by room-temperature ferrimagnetically metallic ground state with strong PMA, emerges as a promising candidate in the field of oxide spintronics. The cation distribution disorder inherent to NCO renders competing electromagnetic states and abnormal sign reversal of anomalous Hall effect (AHE), introducing an additional freedom to adjust electromagnetic transports. Here, we unveil multi-state electromagnetic phase modulations in NCO system through controllable cation disorder and proton evolution, extensively expanding electromagnetic phase diagram. The cation disorder in NCO tunable by growth temperature is identified as a critical control parameter for kinetically adjusting the proton evolution, giving rise to intermediate hydrogenated states with chemical stability. Hydrogen incorporation reversibly drives structural transformation and electromagnetic state evolutions in NCO, with rich spin-dependent correlated physics uncovered by combining the AHE scaling relation and synchrotron-based spectroscopy. Our work not only establishes NCO as a versatile platform for discovering spin-dependent physical functionality but also extends the horizons in materials design for state-of-the-art spintronic devices harnessing magneto-ionic control and inherent cation disorder.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Silicon-Compatible Ionic Control over Multi-State Magnetoelectric Phase Transformations in Correlated Oxide System

Realizing room-temperature ferromagnetic insulators, critical enablers for low-power spintronics, is fundamentally challenged by the long-standing trade-off between ferromagnetic ordering and indirect exchange interactions in insulators. Ionic evolution offers tempting opportunities for accessing exotic magnetoelectric states and physical functionality beyond conventional doping paradigm via tailoring the charge-lattice-orbital-spin interactions. Here, we showcase the precise magneto-ionic control over magnetoelectric states in LSMO system, delicately delivering silicon-compatible weakly ferromagnetic insulator state above room temperature. Of particular note is the decoupling of ion-charge-spin interplay in correlated LSMO system, a primary obstacle in clarifying underlying physical origin, with this process concurrently giving rise to an emergent intermediate state characterized by a weakly ferromagnetic half-metallic state. Benefiting from the SrTiO3 buffer layer as epitaxial template to promote interfacial heterogeneous nucleation, hydrogenation enables diverse magnetoelectric states in LSMO integrated on silicon, fully compatible with traditional semiconductor processing. Assisted by theoretical calculations and spectroscopic techniques, hydrogen-induced magnetoelectric transitions in LSMO are driven by band-filling control and suppression in double exchange interaction. Our work not only defines a novel design paradigm for exploring exotic quantum states in correlated system, with transformative potential for spintronics, but also fundamentally unveils the physical origin behind ionic evolution via disentangling the ion-charge-spin coupling.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Topotactic phase transformation in correlated vanadium dioxide through oxygen vacancy ordering

Controlling the insulator-metal transition (IMT) in correlated oxide system through oxygen vacancy ordering opens up a new paradigm for exploring exotic structural transformation and physical functionality. Oxygen vacancy serves as a powerful tuning knob for adjusting the IMT property in VO2, though driving topochemical reduction to V2O3 remains challenging due to structural incompatibility and competing phase instability. Here we unveil consecutive oxygen-vacancy-driven VO2-VO2-x-V2O3 topotactic phase transformation route with enticing facet-dependent anisotropy, engendering tunable IMT properties over an extended temperature range. Remarkably, topochemically reduced V2O3 inherits the crystallographic characteristics from parent VO2, enabling emergent lattice framework and IMT behavior inaccessible via direct epitaxial growth. Analogous electron doping arising from hydrogenation and oxygen vacancy contributes cooperatively to drive the Mott phase transition in VO2 through band-filling control. Our work not only unveils sequential topotactic phase transformations in VO2 through oxygen vacancy ordering but also provides fundamentally new insights for defect-mediated Mott transitions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

All-electric control of skyrmion-bimeron transition in van der Waals heterostructures

Two-dimensional van der Waals materials offer a versatile platform for manipulating atomic-scale topological spin textures. In this study, using first-principles and micromagnetic calculations, we demonstrate a reversible transition between magnetic skyrmions and bimerons in a MoTeI/In_2Se_3 multiferroic heterostructure. The physical origin lies in the reorientation of the easy axis of magnetic anisotropy, triggered by the reversal of ferroelectric polarization. We show that the transition operates effectively under both static and dynamic conditions, exhibiting remarkable stability and flexibility. Notably, this transition can be achieved entirely through electric control, without requiring any external magnetic field. Furthermore, we propose a binary encoding scheme based on the skyrmion-bimeron transition, presenting a promising path toward energy-efficient spintronic applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Engineering topological phase transitions via sliding ferroelectricity in MBi2Te4 (M = Ge, Sn, Pb) bilayers

Materials combining electrically switchable ferroelectricity and tunable topological states hold significant promise for advancing both foundamental quantum phenomena and innovative device architectures. Here, we employ first-principles calculations to systematically investigate the sliding ferroelectricity-mediated topological transitions in bilayer MBi2Te4 (M = Ge, Sn, Pb). By strategically engineering interlayer sliding configurations with oppositely polarized states, we demonstrate reversible band inversion accompanied by topological phase transitions. The calculated spin-orbit-coupled bandgaps reach 31 meV (GeBi2Te4), 36 meV (SnBi2Te4), and 35 meV (PbBi2Te4), thereby enabling room-temperature observation of the quantum spin Hall effect. Crucially, these systems exhibit substantial out-of-plane ferroelectric polarization magnitudes of 0.571-0.623 pC/m, with PbBi2Te4 showing the maximum polarization (0.623 pC/m). The topological nontriviality is unambiguously confirmed by two independent signatures: (i) the computed z2 topological invariant, and (ii) the emergence of gapless helical edge states spanning the bulk insulating gap. This synergy arises from the unique sliding-induced charge redistribution mechanism, which simultaneously modulates Berry curvature and breaks in-plane inversion symmetry without disrupting out-of-plane polarization stability. The co-engineering of non-volatile ferroelectric switching and topologically protected conduction channels in MBi2Te4 bilayers establishes a material paradigm for designing reconfigurable quantum devices, where electronic topology can be electrically controlled via polarization reversal. Our results provide critical insights into manipulating correlated quantum states in van der Waals ferroelectrics for multifunctional nanoelectronics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Manipulating the hydrogen-induced insulator-metal transition through artificial microstructure engineering

Hydrogen-associated filling-controlled Mottronics within electron-correlated system provides a groundbreaking paradigm to explore exotic physical functionality and phenomena. Dynamically controlling hydrogen-induced phase transitions through external fields offers a promising route for designing protonic devices in multidisciplinary fields, but faces high-speed bottlenecks owing to slow bulk diffusion of hydrogens. Here, we present a promising pathway to kinetically expedite hydrogen-related Mott transition in correlated VO2 system by taking advantage of artificial microstructure design. Typically, inclined domain boundary configuration and cR-faceted preferential orientation simultaneously realized in VO2/Al2O3 (102) heterostructure significantly lower the diffusion barrier via creating an unobstructed conduit for hydrogen diffusion. As a result, the achievable switching speed through hydrogenation outperforms that of counterpart grown on widely-reported c-plane Al2O3 substrate by 2-3 times, with resistive switching concurrently improved by an order of magnitude. Of particular interest, an anomalous uphill hydrogen diffusion observed for VO2 with a highway for hydrogen diffusion fundamentally deviates from basic Fick's law, unveiling a deterministic role of hydrogen spatial distribution in tailoring electronic state evolution. The present work not only provides a versatile strategy for manipulating ionic evolution, endowing with great potential in designing high-speed protonic devices, but also deepens the understanding of hydrogen-induced Mott transitions in electron-correlated system.

cond-mat.str-el

Giant Nonvolatile Multistate Resistance with Fully Magnetically Controlled van der Waals Multiferroic Tunnel Junctions

Ferroelectric polarization switching in electrically controlled van der Waals multiferroic tunnel junctions (vdW-MFTJs) causes atomic migration, compromising device stability and fatigue resistance. Here we propose a fully magnetically controlled vdW-MFTJ based on a \(\mathrm{CrBr_3/MnPSe_3/CrBr_3}\) vertical heterostructure, which achieves ferroelectric polarization reversal without relying on atomic migration driven by inversion symmetry breaking. Using first-principles calculations, we investigate the spin-polarized quantum transport properties of the proposed structure. By integrating asymmetric PtTe$_2$/alkali-metal (Li/Na/K)-doped/intercalated CrBr$_3$ electrodes, the device demonstrates exceptional performance, with a maximum tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) exceeding $8.1\times10^5$\% and tunneling electroresistance (TER) reaching 2499\%, while the spin-filtering channels can be flexibly controlled by the magnetization direction of the magnetic free layer, achieving perfect spin-filtering over a broad bias voltage range. Applying an external bias voltage further enhances these metrics, increasing TMR to $3.6\times 10^7$\% and TER to 9990\%. Notably, a pronounced negative differential resistance (NDR) effect is observed, yielding an unprecedented peak-to-valley ratio (PVR) of $9.55\times10^9$\%, representing the highest value reported for vertical tunnel junctions. These extraordinary characteristics highlight the potential of vdW-MFTJs for ultra-efficient electronic switching, a key feature for next-generation spintronic devices. Our findings provide a solid theoretical foundation for designing and developing high-performance magnetic storage and logic technologies.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Recent progress on electron- and magnon-mediated torques

The growing demand for artificial intelligence and complex computing has underscored the urgent need for advanced data storage technologies. Spin-orbit torque (SOT) has emerged as a leading candidate for high-speed, high-density magnetic random-access memory due to its ultrafast switching speed and low power consumption. This review systematically explores the generation and switching mechanisms of electron-mediated torques (including both conventional SOTs and orbital torques) and magnon-mediated torques. We discuss key materials that enable these effects: heavy metals, topological insulators, low-crystal-symmetry materials, non-collinear antiferromagnets, and altermagnets for conventional SOTs; 3d, 4d, and 5d transition metals for orbital torques; and antiferromagnetic insulator NiO- and multiferroic BiFeO3-based sandwich structures for magnon torques. We emphasize that although key components of SOT devices have been demonstrated, numerous promising materials and critical questions regarding their underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. Therefore, this field represents a dynamic and rapidly evolving frontier in spintronics, offering significant potential for advancing next-generation information storage and computational technologies.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Giant Tunneling Magnetoresistance in Graphene/$h$-BN Based van der Waals Magnetic Tunnel Junctions via 3$d$ Transition Metal Intercalation

Atomic intercalation offers a powerful route for engineering two-dimensional (2D) materials by precisely tuning interlayer electronic coupling and spin configurations. Here, we propose a generic strategy for the construction of fully 2D magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) based on transition metal-intercalated graphene electrodes with $h$-BN barrier layer. First-principles calculations reveal that intercalation not only stabilizes uniform atomic dispersion via steric hindrance but also induces robust ferromagnetism in graphene. Manganese- and vanadium-intercalated systems (Mn-Gr and V-Gr) exhibit exceptional spintronic performance, with tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) showing a pronounced odd-even oscillation as a function of barrier thickness. A giant TMR of $4.35 \times 10^8\,\%$ is achieved in the Mn-Gr system with a monolayer barrier $h$ -BN ($n=1$), while V-Gr reaches a maximum TMR of $1.86 \times 10^5\,\%$ for a trilayer barrier ($n=3$). Moreover, biaxial strain further enhances the TMR to $10^9\,\%$ and $10^7\,\%$ in Mn-Gr and V-Gr systems, respectively. The devices also exhibit perfect spin filtering and pronounced negative differential resistance, offering new opportunities for high-performance spintronic and memory applications based on 2D van der Waals heterostructures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Magnon-mediated perpendicular magnetization switching by topological crystalline insulator SnTe with high spin Hall conductivity

Magnons possess the ability to transport spin angular momentum in insulating magnetic materials, a characteristic that sets them apart from traditional electronics where power consumption arises from the movement of electrons. However, the practical application of magnon devices demands room temperature operation and low switching power of perpendicular magnetization. Here we demonstrate the low-power manipulation of perpendicular magnetization via magnon torques in SnTe/NiO/CoFeB devices at room temperature. Topological crystalline insulator SnTe exhibits a high spin Hall conductivity of $σ_s \approx 6.1\times 10^4 (\hbar/2e)\cdot (Ω\cdot m)^{-1}$, which facilitates the generation of magnon currents in an antiferromagnetic insulator NiO. The magnon currents traverse the 20-nm-thick NiO layer and subsequently exert magnon torques on the adjacent ferromagnetic layer, leading to magnetization switching. Notably, we achieve a 22-fold reduction in power consumption in SnTe/NiO/CoFeB heterostructures compared to Bi2Te3/NiO/CoFeB control samples. Our findings establish the low-power perpendicular magnetization manipulation through magnon torques, significantly expanding the range of topological materials with practical applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Molecular HDD Logic for Encrypted Massive Data Storage

Organic memories, with small dimension, fast speed and long retention features, are considered as promising candidates for massive data archiving. In order to satisfy the re-quirements for ultra-low power and high-security information storage, we design a concep-tual molecular hard-disk (HDD) logic scheme that is capable to execute in-situ encryption of massive data in pW/bit power-consumption range. Beneficial from the coupled mechanism of counter-balanced redox reaction and local ion drifting, the basic HDD unit consisting of ~ 200 self-assembled RuXLPH molecules in a monolayer (SAM) configuration undergoes unique conductance modulation with continuous, symmetric and low-power switching char-acteristics. 96-state memory performance, which allows 6-bit data storage and single-unit one-step XOR operation, is realized in the RuXLPH SAM sample. Through single-unit XOR manipulation of the pixel information, in-situ bitwise encryption of the Mogao Grottoes mural images stored in the molecular HDD is demonstrated.

cs.ET

Voltage-driven 90 switching of bulk perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in ferrimagnets

Unravelling the mechanism behind bulk perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in amorphous rare earth-transition metal films has proven challenging. This is largely due to the inherent complexity of amorphous structure and the entangled potential origins arising from microstructure and atomic structure factors. Here, we present an approach wherein the magneto-electric effect is harnessed to induce 90° switching of bulk PMA in Tb-Co films to in-plane directions by applying voltages of only -1.2 V. This manipulation is achieved by voltage-driven insertion of hydrogen atoms into interstitial sites between Tb and Co atoms, which serves as a perturbation to local atomic structure. Using angle-dependent X-ray magnetic circular dichroism, we find that the anisotropy switching originates from the distortion of crystal field around Tb which reorients the alignment of Tb orbital moments. Initially aligned along Tb-Co bonding directions, the easy magnetization axis undergoes reorientation and switches by 90°, as substantiated by ab-initio calculations. Our study not only concludes the atomic origin of Tb-Co atom bonding configuration in shaping bulk PMA, but also establishes the groundwork for electrically programmable ferrimagnetic spintronics, such as controlling domain wall motion and programming artificial spin textures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Exciton Enhanced Giant Correlated Stoke AntiStokes Scattering of Multiorder Phonons in Semiconductor

The correlated Stoke antiStokes (SaS) scattering plays a crucial role in quantum information processing, such as heralded light sources, Fock state dynamics, and write read protocol for quantum memory. However, several reported materials exhibit low degree of SaS correlation and require high-power pulse laser excitation, limiting further applications. Herein, we explore the giant correlated multiorder SaS scattering under low power continuous laser excitation through red-sideband resonance of exciton in semiconductor ZnTe nanobelts. At low temperatures, we observe an unexpectedly strong anti-Stokes signal for multiorder longitudinal optical phonons, with SaS correlations two or four orders of magnitude larger than reported results. Furthermore, we observed the mitigation of laser heating effect for longitudinal optical phonon in SaS scattering. This finding paves a new pathway to study multiorder quantum correlated photon pairs produced through exciton-resonant Raman scattering.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Magnetic order-dependent giant tunneling magnetoresistance and electroresistance in van der Waals antiferromagnetic-multiferroic tunnel junctions

Antiferromagnetic spintronics exhibits ultra-high operational speed and stability in a magnetic field, holding promise for the realization of next-generation ultra-high-speed magnetic storage. However, theoretical exploration of the electronic transport properties of antiferromagnetic-multiferroic tunnel junction (AMFTJ) devices remains largely unexplored. Here, we design an antiferromagnet/ferroelectric barrier/antiferromagnet van der Waals heterojunction, renamed vdW AMFTJ, using a bilayer MnBi$_2$Te$_4$/In$_2$Se$_3$/bilayer MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ (MBT-2L/IS/MBT-2L) as the prototype. Based on first-principles calculations using the nonequilibrium Green's function method combined with density functional theory, we theoretically investigate the spin-resolved electronic transport properties of this AMFTJ. By manipulating the various possible magnetization directions of the multilayer antiferromagnetic MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ and the ferroelectric polarization direction of the In$_2$Se$_3$ within the junction, sixteen distinct non-volatile resistance states can be revealed and manipulated by applying external biaxial strain and bias voltage. We predict maximum tunneling magnetoresistance (electroresistance) values of $3.79\times10^{4}$\% ($2.41\times10^{5}$\%) in the equilibrium state, which can increase up to $5.01\times10^{5}$\% ($4.97\times10^{5}$\%) under external bias voltage. Furthermore, the perfect spin filtering effect is also present in our AMFTJ. Our results highlight the tremendous potential of the MBT-2L/IS/MBT-2L vdW AMFTJ in non-volatile memory, expanding the application avenues for antiferromagnetic spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Giant electrode effect on tunneling magnetoresistance and electroresistance in van der Waals intrinsic multiferroic tunnel junctions using VS2

Van der Waals multiferroic tunnel junctions (vdW-MFTJs) with multiple nonvolatile resistive states are highly suitable for new physics and next-generation storage electronics. However, currently reported vdW-MFTJs are based on two types of materials, i.e., vdW ferromagnetic and ferroelectric materials, forming a multiferroic system. This undoubtedly introduces additional interfaces, increasing the complexity of experimental preparation. Herein, we engineer vdW intrinsic MFTJs utilizing bilayer VS$_2$. By employing the nonequilibrium Green's function combined with density functional theory, we systematically investigate the influence of three types of electrodes (including non-vdW pure metal Ag/Au, vdW metallic 1T-MoS$_2$/2H-PtTe$_2$, and vdW ferromagnetic metallic Fe$_3$GaTe$_2$/Fe$_3$GeTe$_2$) on the electronic transport properties of VS$_2$-based intrinsic MFTJs. We demonstrate that these MFTJs manifest a giant electrode-dependent electronic transport characteristic effect. Comprehensively comparing these electrode pairs, the Fe$_3$GaTe$_2$/Fe$_3$GeTe$_2$ electrode combination exhibits optimal transport properties, the maximum TMR (TER) can reach 10949\% (69\%) and the minimum resistance-area product (RA) is 0.45 $Ω$$μ$m$^{2}$, as well as the perfect spin filtering and negative differential resistance effects. More intriguingly, TMR (TER) can be further enhanced to 34000\% (380\%) by applying an external bias voltage (0.1 V), while RA can be reduced to 0.16 $Ω$$μ$m$^{2}$ under the influence of biaxial stress (-3\%). Our proposed concept of designing vdW-MFTJs using intrinsic multiferroic materials points towards new avenues in experimental exploration.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci