For centuries it has been thought that materials with dual dimension can't flaunt magnetic properties due to internal relativity. But a new study evolved by a group of scientists have enforced potential challenge on this thought. As per the insight, the study has paved way for answering the long thought question of quantum physics about whether magnetism would survive when materials shrink down to two dimensions. The research has demonstrated magnetic quality in a 2-D van der Waals crystal, thin layers of which can be plugged to one another with the help of adhesive tape.
According to Science Daily, named after a Dutch scientist, Van der Waals crystals are those in which 2-D layers don't stay interconnected with internal bonds. These metallic layers can be exfoliated with the support of adhesive tapes. And Van der Waals forces mean a sort of intermolecular forces of attraction that, not being arisen from the ionic bonds which keep molecules inter-packet with each other. The study lead author Cheng Gong said: "It's like the pages of a book," and added: "The pages can be stacked on top of each other, but the forces linking one page to another is much weaker than the in-plane forces that keep a single sheet intact."
As per a report by Phys, the team utilized and detected the magnetic properties of the Van der Waals crystals by using the technique known as magneto-optic Kerr effect. And for making up the crystal the team used layers of chromium germanium telluride (Cr2Ge2Te6, or CGT). As per Gong's estimation, 3000 pieces of CGT was used, which also works as a semiconductor. Jing Xia, Co-senior author, UC Irvine associate professor of physics and astronomy said CGT's "ferromagnetism is intrinsic,"
The researchers based the study on a technique called magneto-optic Kerr effect, which involves the super-sensitive detection of the rotation of linearly polarized light, while interacting with electron movement of the material. The study improved ferromagnetism with the dual dimensions of the CGT material, but its the magnetic anisotropy accounted to be lower than what was expected, which enabled researchers to easily control the temperature at which the material loses its ferromagnetism.
