IEEE NTC EH Yang Distinguished Lecture Preview

This abstract highlights two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) doped with transition metal atoms, targeting applications in spintronic memory and biosensing. The synthesis, doping, and ferromagnetism in Fe-doped monolayer TMDs are discussed along with spin-orbit torque (SOT) switching. Materials such as those containing heavy metals with strong spin-orbit coupling and topological insulators with spin-momentum locking generate substantial spin currents when subjected to electrical fields. When paired with van der Waals (vdW) magnets, these materials enhance spin-torque transfer efficiency, with the strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy proving particularly useful for spintronic applications. Thinner vdW magnets are found to improve energy efficiency by enabling closer interaction between the magnetic layers and spin-accumulated interfaces. In prior work (Nature Communications, 11, 2034, 2020), we introduced Fe-doped monolayer MoS2, which forms a 2D dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS) capable of operating above room temperature, offering a promising solution for practical SOT applications. The use of 2D DMS monolayers represents the first demonstration of SOT switching at the true atomic monolayer limit.