All-Electrical Self-Switching of van der Waals Chiral Antiferromagnet
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 206701 – Published 12 November, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/2vc9-t8qt
Abstract
Antiferromagnets have garnered significant attention due to their negligible stray field and ultrafast magnetic dynamics, which are promising for high-density and ultrafast spintronic applications. Their dual functionality as both spin sources and information carriers could enable all-electrical self-induced switching of antiferromagnetic order, offering great potential for ultracompact spintronic devices. However, related progress is still elusive. Here, we report the deterministic switching of chiral antiferromagnetic orders induced by charge current at zero external magnetic field in the van der Waals magnetically intercalated transition metal dichalcogenide . This system exhibits strong interactions between cobalt atom magnetic moment lattice and itinerant electrons within the metallic layers, as demonstrated by temperature-dependent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, scanning tunneling spectroscopy, and topological Nernst effect measurements. Notably, the itinerant-localization interactions lead to current-induced chiral spin-orbit torques as well as Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida exchange torques that interact with the localized magnetic moments, facilitating all-electrical switching of the chiral magnetic order in the flake. Our Letter opens a promising avenue for manipulating antiferromagnetic orders by delicately engineering the synergistic interactions between magnetic moments and itinerant electrons.