Nonvolatile multiferroic coupling in van der Waals heterostructure

Nonvolatile multiferroic coupling that can be controlled by electric fields has a wide range of future electronic multistate applications. Through first-principles calculations, we have revealed such magnetoelectric effect in van der Waals heterostructure systems consisting of CuCrP2Se6 and VS2. The distinct magnetic moments for Se atoms on the upper and lower surfaces of the CuCrP2Se6 substrate lead to different interlayer magnetic coupling configurations. Meanwhile, by varying the number of substrate layers, we can manipulate the direction of V's magnetic moment during ferroelectric reversal. This intricate interplay of ferroelectricity, magnetism, and ferrovalley enables the creation of electric switchable states. These findings provide ideas for nonvolatile memories controlled directly through electric fields.