Monolayer van der Waals (vdW) magnets provide an exciting opportunity for exploring two-dimensional (2D) magnetism for scientific and technological advances, but the intrinsic ferromagnetism has only been observed at low temperatures. Here, we report the observation of room temperature ferromagnetism in manganese selenide (MnSe ) films grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Magnetic and structural characterization provides strong evidence that, in the monolayer limit, the ferromagnetism originates from a vdW manganese diselenide (MnSe) monolayer, while for thicker films it could originate from a combination of vdW MnSe and/or interfacial magnetism of α-MnSe(111). Magnetization measurements of monolayer MnSe films on GaSe and SnSe epilayers show ferromagnetic ordering with a large saturation magnetization of ∼4 Bohr magnetons per Mn, which is consistent with the density functional theory calculations predicting ferromagnetism in monolayer 1T-MnSe. Growing MnSe films on GaSe up to a high thickness (∼40 nm) produces α-MnSe(111) and an enhanced magnetic moment (∼2×) compared to the monolayer MnSe samples. Detailed structural characterization by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) reveals an abrupt and clean interface between GaSe(0001) and α-MnSe(111). In particular, the structure measured by STEM is consistent with the presence of a MnSe monolayer at the interface. These results hold promise for potential applications in energy efficient information storage and processing.

The creation of 2D van der Waals materials with ferromagnetism above room temperature is an essential goal toward their practical utilization in spin-based applications. Recent studies suggest that intercalating lithium in exfoliated flakes of the ferromagnet Fe3–x GeTe2 induces a nonzero magnetization at T ∼ 300 K. However, the nanoscale nature of such experiments precludes precise observations of structural and chemical changes upon intercalation. Here, we report the preparation of sodium-intercalated NaFe2.78GeTe2 as well as the investigation into its structure and magnetic properties. Sodium readily intercalates into the van der Waals gap, as revealed by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Concurrently, the Fe2.78GeTe2 layer becomes heavily charge doped and strained via chemical pressure, yet retains its structure and ferromagnetic transition temperature of ∼140 K. However, we observe the presence of a ferromagnetic amorphous iron germanide impurity over a wide range of synthetic conditions, leading to room-temperature magnetization. This work highlights the importance of strain and electronic control for manipulating the Curie temperature in 2D ferromagnets, while emphasizing the need for careful chemical analysis when exploring phenomena in exfoliated layers.

We observe the magnetic proximity effect (MPE) in Pt/CoFe 2 O 4 bilayers grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). This is revealed through angle-dependent magnetoresistance measurements at 5 K, which isolate the contributions of induced ferromagnetism (i.e. anisotropic magnetoresistance) and spin Hall effect (i.e. spin Hall magnetoresistance) in the Pt layer. The observation of induced ferromagnetism in Pt via AMR is further supported by density functional theory calculations and various control measurements including insertion of a Cu spacer layer to suppress the induced ferromagnetism. In addition, anomalousHall effect measurements show an out-of-plane magnetic hysteresis loop of the induced ferromagnetic phase with larger coercivity and larger remanence than the bulk CoFe 2 O 4 . By demonstrating MPE in Pt/CoFe 2 O 4 , these results establish the spinel ferrite family as a promising material for MPE and spin manipulation via proximity exchange fields.* equal contributions **email: kawakami.15@osu.edu 2 Spin manipulation inside a nonmagnetic (NM) material using internal effective fields (spin orbit or exchange) is a very promising avenue toward the realization of next generation spintronic devices (spin transistors, magnetic gates, etc.) [1,2]. In particular, magnetic proximity effect (MPE) at the interface of a NM spin channel and a ferromagnetic insulator (FMI) is of great importance for generating exchange fields and induced ferromagnetism in the NM layer. Recently, spin manipulation by MPE has been realized in experiments that modulate spin currents in graphene on YIG (yttrium iron garnet) [3,4]. In addition, proximity exchange fields induced by FMI have been observed for graphene and monolayer transition transition metal dichalcogenides [5,6].Among FMIs, members of the spinel ferrite family (MFe 2 O 4 , with M=Co, Ni, etc.) are attractive because their magnetic properties can be tuned by alloy composition [7,8] as well as epitaxial strain [9][10][11]. In particular, CoFe 2 O 4 (CFO) is a hard ferrimagnetic insulator which exhibits high Curie temperature (728 K), spin-filtering properties [12][13][14], magneto-electric switching [15], and is readily integrated with practical spintronic materials (MgO, Fe, Cr). Unfortunately, all previous experiments have failed to observe MPE using CFO. To test for MPE in NM/FMI systems, Pt is widely used as the NM material due its closeness to fulfilling the Stoner criteria and thus allowing it to become ferromagnetically ordered at the interface with the FMI. Initial studies of Pt/CFO grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) utilized magnetotransport measurements and observed no MPE in the Pt layer [16]. Subsequent transport and element-specific magnetization measurements by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) also found no evidence for induced ferromagnetism in the Pt layer [17][18][19][20] contributing to a growing consensus that CFO cannot be used to obtain MPE. However, because the length scale of exchange interactions is on the order of angstroms, it should...

Transition metal complexes capable of photo-induced spin crossover have been widely investigated because of their potential to enable ultrafast optical control of information processing. However, any real application of photo-switchable molecules requires that spin crossover be paired with additional functionality such as long-range magnetic order. Important advances combining these functions are notably reported for a number of bimetallic Prussian Blue analogues; however, to date PBA-based magnetic photo-switches can only operate below 150 K due to loss of magnetic order. In contrast, cobalt ferrite is a ferrimagnetic semiconductor with a Curie temperature of 790 K and extremely favorable magnetic properties by comparison to state-of-the-art PBAs. The mixed valence electronic structure of cobalt ferrite is reminiscent of cobalt-iron PBA, which is a well-known photo-switch. To investigate the potential for photo-switching in this material, we employ transient XUV spectroscopy to probe charge and spin dynamics with element-speci fic resolution on the femtosecond time scale. Results show that 400 nm light excites a metal-to-metal charge transfer transition, which drives the crossover of high-spin Co2+ to low-spin Co3+ with a time constant of 405 ± 29 fs and an internal quantum efficiency of unity. This result establishes the existence of efficient photo-switching in a new class of robust ferrimagnetic spinel ferrites. File list (2) download file view on ChemRxiv CFO_Main Mauscript.pdf (0.98 MiB) download file view on ChemRxiv CFO_Supplementary_Information.pdf (840.14 KiB)

Dental enamel forms extracellularly as thin ribbons of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) that initiate on dentin mineral in close proximity to the ameloblast distal membrane. Secreted proteins are critical for this process. Enam−/− and Ambn−/− mice fail to form enamel. We characterize enamel ribbon formation in wild-type (WT), Amelx−/− and Mmp20−/− mouse mandibular incisors using focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) in inverted backscatter mode. In Amelx−/− mice, initial enamel mineral ribbons extending from dentin are similar in form to those of WT mice. As early enamel development progresses, the Amelx−/− mineral ribbons develop multiple branches, resembling the staves of a Japanese fan. These striking fan-shaped structures cease growing after attaining ~ 20 µm of enamel thickness (WT is ~ 120 µm). The initial enamel mineral ribbons in Mmp20−/− mice, like those of the Amelx−/− and WT, extend from the dentin surface to the ameloblast membrane, but appear to be fewer in number and coated on their sides with organic material. Remarkably, Mmp20−/− mineral ribbons also form fan-like structures that extend to ~ 20 µm from the dentin surface. However, these fans are subsequently capped with a hard, disorganized outer mineral layer. Amelogenin cleavage products are the only matrix components absent in both Amelx−/− and Mmp20−/− mice. We conclude that MMP20 and amelogenin are not critical for enamel mineral ribbon initiation, orientation, or initial shape. The pathological fan-like plates in these mice may form from the lack of amelogenin cleavage products, which appear necessary to form ordered hydroxyapatite.

We use a combination of optical and electrostatic surface science techniques to measure electronically active native defects in multilayer GeCH3 and GeH, two-dimensional (2D) functionalized materials. Chemical processing techniques coupled with density functional theory enable us to identify the specific physical nature of both native point defects and synthesis-related impurities which can limit the optical and charge transport properties of these materials. Direct comparison of optical measurements with calculated electronic levels provides identification of these localized, deep level gap states and confirms partial H-passivation of dangling bonds, revealing synthesis and processing methods needed to control specific defects and optimize these 2D materials for emergent solid state-electronics.

We have developed a robust way of identifying small rotational disorder to help advance the understanding of twisted materials.

Barium distannide (BaSn2), a potential precursor for stannene, is predicted to be a topological insulator. However, little is known about BaSn2 as the material is extremely air-sensitive. Here we present, for the first time, characterization of BaSn2 by scanning/transmission electron microscopy. We use advanced imaging and spectroscopy techniques to show disproportionation of BaSn2 particles into β-Sn + Ba x Sn y . X-ray diffraction analysis confirms that this disproportionation is driven by exposure to a low-pressure environment.