Deterministic switching of ferromagnetism at room temperature using an electric field.

The technological appeal of multiferroics is the ability to control magnetism with electric field. For devices to be useful, such control must be achieved at room temperature. The only single-phase multiferroic material exhibiting unambiguous magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature is BiFeO3 (refs 4 and 5). Its weak ferromagnetism arises from the canting of the antiferromagnetically aligned spins by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction. Prior theory considered the symmetry of the thermodynamic ground state and concluded that direct 180-degree switching of the DM vector by the ferroelectric polarization was forbidden. Instead, we examined the kinetics of the switching process, something not considered previously in theoretical work. Here we show a deterministic reversal of the DM vector and canted moment using an electric field at room temperature. First-principles calculations reveal that the switching kinetics favours a two-step switching process. In each step the DM vector and polarization are coupled and 180-degree deterministic switching of magnetization hence becomes possible, in agreement with experimental observation. We exploit this switching to demonstrate energy-efficient control of a spin-valve device at room temperature. The energy per unit area required is approximately an order of magnitude less than that needed for spin-transfer torque switching. Given that the DM interaction is fundamental to single-phase multiferroics and magnetoelectrics, our results suggest ways to engineer magnetoelectric switching and tailor technologically pertinent functionality for nanometre-scale, low-energy-consumption, non-volatile magnetoelectronics.

Correlations between adhesion hysteresis and friction at molecular scales.

Correlations between adhesion hysteresis and local friction are theoretically and experimentally investigated. The model is based on the classical theory of adhesional friction, contact mechanics, capillary hysteresis, and nanoscale roughness. Adhesion hysteresis was found to scale with friction through the scaling factor containing a varying ratio of adhesion energy over the reduced Young's modulus. Capillary forces can offset the relationship between adhesion hysteresis and friction. Measurements on a wide range of engineering samples with varying adhesive and elastic properties confirm the model. Adhesion hysteresis is investigated under controlled, low humidity atmosphere via ultrasonic force microscopy. Friction is measured by the friction force microscopy.

Comparison of surface-treated and untreated orthodontic bands: evaluation of shear force and surface roughness.

In an attempt to increase retention of orthodontic bands, orthodontic companies market bands with surfaces prepared to increase roughness. A comparison of six groups of bands, including two with untreated surfaces, revealed a wide range of variation in shear forces. Three classes of retention may be differentiated on the basis of non-statistically significantly different mean shear forces in each category: high (Unitek, treated), moderate (Unitek, untreated; A Co., treated; GAC, treated), and low (A Co., untreated; Dentaurum, treated). Surface roughness, as evaluated through atomic force microscopy, correlated moderately with shear force (r = 0.61; p < 0.05). This method is examined and compared with the qualitative profiles of the orthodontic band surfaces provided by optical micrography.