Probing magnetism in 2D materials at the nanoscale with single-spin microscopy

A detailed look into 2D magnetism The van der Waals material chromium triiodide (CrI 3 ) is a ferromagnet in the bulk but appears to become antiferromagnetic when thinned to a few atomic layers. Thiel et al. used a local magnetometry technique based on diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers to study the magnetism of these thin films at the nanoscale (see the Perspective by Fernández-Rossier). In agreement with previous results, films with odd numbers of layers had magnetization values consistent with that of a single layer, indicating antiferromagnetic coupling. But when the researchers' probe caused an accidental puncture, the magnetization of a nine-layer film increased approximately ninefold to a value expected…

• EC
  European Commission

  Award: ASTERIQS - 820394
• SN
  Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung

  Awards: 178891, 155845, 174056, 169016, 161353
• SN
  Swiss Nanoscience Institute