Large magnetodielectric effect based on spin-dependent charge transfer in metal–insulator type Co-(BaF2) nanogranular films

Abstract

Cobalt-metal-fluoride nanogranular films exhibit high electrical resistivity (ρ) and high permittivity (ɛ′) as well as high magnetic moments, making them potentially suitable for applications in low power magnetoelectronic devices at a high-frequency range. Here, we present the DC/AC magnetoelectric effect of high-ρ Cox-(BaF2)1 − x nanogranular films that are constituted of Co nanogranules of about 2 nm in diameter in an insulating BaF2 crystal. Under the application of magnetic field (H), we observed the ρ variations (Δρ/ρ0) of 2.0%–5.9% for x ranging 0.19–0.54 and the ɛ′ variations (Δɛ/ε0′) of 0.7%–6.0% for x ranging 0.19–0.42, respectively. These magnetically controllable ρ and ɛ′ are realized based on the spin-dependent quantum-mechanical charge transfer. The Cox-(BaF2)1 − x film for x = 0.42 possesses high ρ, while remaining in a notably high Δɛ/ε0′ of 6% at a megahertz frequency range. This study demonstrates a candidate of high-resistive magnetoelectric nanogranular films, which may bring prosperous applications in high-frequency magnetoelectric devices with low power consumption.