Magnetoelectric nanoscale magnetic-field generator

We report experimental results on a magnetoelectric nanoscale magnetic field generator demonstrating electrical control of the local magnetization. The magnetic field generator contains a patterned magnetoelectric layered structure (i.e. Ni-nanobar/PZT-film). An electric field applied to the PZT-film is used to control the metastable spin-structure evolution process (i.e. motion of spins, transformation of domain-pattern, and re-orientation of magnetization) in the Ni-nanobar due to the converse magnetoelectric effect. Using magnetic force microscopy, the reversible evolution of a spin-structure/single-domain with an electric field was experimentally observed. These results represent the first step toward a solution for nanoscale electromagnets.