Coupling of magnetism and structural phase transition in V2O3/Co bilayers

Exchange couplings across interfaces of hybrid magnetic heterostructures are being considered as unique opportunity for functional materials design. In this study, we show that both coercivity and magnetization of V2O3/Co bilayers are affected by the stress associated with structural phase transition across metal-insulator phase transition in V2O3. The change in coercivity is as large as 59% in a very narrow temperature range. The magnetic properties can be controlled by stress, which is significant for future multiferroic and spintronics applications.