Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    Sliding-controlled magnetoelectric coupling of ferroelectricity and altermagnetism in the van der Waals bilayers VPX3 (X=S,Se,Te)

    Shaoxuan Qi1, Yumeng Zhang1, Siqi Dong1, Meifeng Liu1, Yulin Feng1,*, Tingting Zhong2,†, and Qing Yang1,‡

    • 1College of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Materials and Devices, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, China
    • 2Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Quantum State Control and Optical Field Manipulation, Department of Physics, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China

    • *Contact author: fengyl@hbnu.edu.cn
    • †Contact author: zhongtt@zstu.edu.cn
    • ‡Contact author: yangqing@hbnu.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 114, 285412 – Published 10 November, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/91dy-wnd5

    Abstract

    Two-dimensional materials have enabled unprecedented control over material properties through interlayer engineering, where mechanisms such as sliding can directly modify symmetry configurations and functionalities. Based on first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that bilayer VPX3 (X=S,Se,Te) provides an ideal platform in which interlayer sliding simultaneously activates and couples sliding ferroelectricity (FE) and altermagnetism (AM). Here, a switchable out-of-plane FE polarization emerges from the sliding-induced breaking of inversion symmetry, whereas momentum-dependent spin splitting arises from crystal symmetries, without spin-orbit coupling. Crucially, the interlayer sliding displacement that reverses FE polarization also fully inverts the spin polarization in the AMs, equivalent to a 180° spin reversal. Remarkably, this magnetoelectric (ME) coupling is directly manifested as clear sign reversals in the magneto-optical Kerr rotation. Furthermore, interlayer compression enhances both the FE polarization and AM band splitting in a nearly linear manner, demonstrating strain-tunable multiferroic behavior. Our results establish VPX3 bilayers as a prototypical system for achieving deterministic control over coupled ferroic orders via atomic-scale layer manipulation, opening avenues for designing spintronic and ME devices.

    Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

    Authorization Required

    We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

    Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

    References (Subscription Required)

    Outline

    Information

    Sign In to Your Journals Account

    Filter

    Filter

    Article Lookup

    Enter a citation