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    Nonvolatile electrical control of spin splitting via altermagnets with sliding ferroelectricity

    Jiajun Lu1, Mu Tian1, Chaoxi Cui1, Yue-Fei Hou1, TingLi He1, Zhi-Ming Yu1,2, Run-Wu Zhang1,2,*, and Yugui Yao1,2

    • 1Key Lab of Advanced Optoelectronic Quantum Architecture and Measurement (MOE), Beijing Key Laboratory of Quantum Matter State Control and Ultra-Precision Measurement Technology, and School of Physics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
    • 2International Center for Quantum Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai 519000, China

    • *Contact author: zhangrunwu@bit.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 114, 094423 – Published 19 August, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/fvdw-j1mc

    Abstract

    Achieving precise and nonvolatile electrical control of spin represents a fundamental yet long-standing challenge in spintronics. In this work, we demonstrate that bilayer altermagnets with sliding ferroelectricity give rise to a distinct form of sliding multiferroicity, thereby establishing a pathway for precise and nonvolatile electrical spin manipulation. Through a combination of symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations, we identify bilayer Ca(CoN)2 as a representative system, in which sliding between layers reconstructs the stacking order and switches the spontaneous polarization with an ultralow energy barrier. Unlike conventional gate-controlled schemes, the spin-layer coupling in this sliding multiferroic arises intrinsically from the spontaneous electrical and layer polarizations, eliminating the need for a sustained gate field to maintain the spin state. The two distinct multiferroic phases further exhibit a fully switchable anomalous Hall effect and a pronounced magneto-optical response, providing potential experimental signatures. These findings highlight the promise of leveraging sliding-mediated coupling between unconventional magnetism and stacking order to realize electrically programmable two-dimensional multiferroics.

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