Current-controlled magnetization using interfacial localizations in heterostructures.

[Display omitted] • Magnetic coercive fields(Hc) obtained from magnetoresistance at low temperature are modulated by current. • Strong current dependence of weak localization was observed with Hc modulation. • Further analysis using HLN theory reveals that interface-driven magnetic inhomogeneity and corresponding localizations play a role as a bridge between the current and magnetism. A systematic study is conducted on an electrically controlled magnetization in tri-layers containing two layers of ferromagnetic (FM) SrRuO 3 , with antiferromagnetic (AFM) insulating manganites sandwiched in between. Magneto-resistance curves exhibit that a huge weak anti-localization or localization shapes around zero magnetic field and the localization shapes and coercive fields change simultaneously by currents. This results propose that interface-driven magnetic inhomogeneity such as the FM clusters embedded in the AFM matrix, and corresponding localizations play a role as a bridge between the current and magnetism. The results suggest that interfacial magnetism can cause new functions in a heterostructure, leading to an expansion of research subjects of current-controlled magnetism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]