Researchers from the University of Groningen have induced ferromagnetism in a thin film of non-magnetic Schematic of platinum transistor with paramagnetic ionic liquid gate. Source: L. Liang, University of Groningenplatinum by use of a field effect generated by gating through a medium called ionic liquid. If an electric field is applied, ions move to the surface of the platinum, carrying both charge and magnetic moment. Both affect the surface layer of the platinum film, creating an atomically thin layer of magnetic platinum.

Many 2D magnets have recently been isolated from layered compounds, but most are insulators and are only magnetic at very low temperature. The researchers observed that the magnetic state of the platinum film is maintained at room temperature. Making them in a conductor could be useful in spintronics, a promising new type of electronics, which is based on the magnetic moment (or spin) of electrons. The new research means that magnetism can be switched on and off in a conductor, which could lead to the development of devices that can simultaneously control charge and spin.

The research is reported in Science Advances.