Voltage-induced reversible changes in the magnetic coercivity of Fe/ZnO heterostructures

• DOI: 10.1063/1.4865591
• Publication Date: 2014-02-13T01:30:42Z
• Authors: Wen-Chin Lin; Po-Chun Chang; Cheng-Jui Tsai; Tsung-Chun Shieh; Fang-Yuh Lo
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

In this study, the magnetic coercivity (Hc) of Fe/ZnO heterostructure monotonically decreased as voltage was applied. The reversibility of this effect was demonstrated by cyclically changing the bias voltage from 0 to 6–9 V; the Hc decreased 15%–20%. The Hc value exhibited the same variation whether the applied voltage was positive or negative. As thick Fe-oxide gradually formed at the interface by using direct current heating, the Hc increased and the Fe/ZnO heterostructure demonstrated a similar voltage-induced reduction of Hc.