Manipulation of magnetic domain wall by ferroelectric switching: Dynamic magnetoelectricity at the nanoscale

Abstract

Controlling magnetism using voltage is highly desired for applications, but remains challenging due to fundamental contradiction between polarity and magnetism. Here we propose a mechanism to manipulate magnetic domain walls in ferrimagnetic or ferromagnetic multiferroics using electric field. Different from those studies based on static domain-level couplings, here the magnetoelectric coupling relies on the collaborative spin dynamics around domain walls. Accompanying the reversal of spin chirality driven by polarization switching, a "rolling-downhill"-like motion of domain wall is achieved at the nanoscale, which tunes the magnetization locally. Our mechanism opens an alternative route to pursuit practical and fast converse magnetoelectric functions via spin dynamics.