Novel Physical Properties of Low-Dimensional Magnetic Materials

Dear Colleagues,

As we venture deeper into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, propelled by the explosive development of new-generation information technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and human–computer interactions, the strategic importance of chip technology as the cornerstone of information technology has never been more evident. With traditional silicon-based electronic chips rapidly approaching their physical limits, the demand for faster information transmission, higher logic transport performance, and increased data storage capacity is becoming increasingly challenging to meet.

In the post-“Moore’s Law” era, simply manipulating and optimizing the charge properties of electrons is insufficient to fundamentally enhance the storage and computing capabilities of electronic computers. Hence, the focus has shifted to an additional electron degree of freedom—spin. Spin properties of electrons, closely related to the macroscopic magnetism of materials, present promising avenues for innovation. In particular, the optical absorption lengths of magnetic materials, generally in the tens of nanometers range, facilitate integration and precise optical control. Consequently, nanoscale two-dimensional magnetic materials have emerged as pivotal for next-generation optoelectronic chips.

The emerging field of two-dimensional magnetic nanomaterials has garnered significant attention. These materials offer unique magnetic responses, enhancing the magnetic control capabilities of traditional charge-based devices. At the atomic scale, two-dimensional magnetic nanomaterials exhibit enhanced interactions among electron spins, charges, and lattices, leading to extraordinary physical properties.

This Special Issue will focus on the latest advances in low-dimensional magnetic nanomaterials, particularly the exotic physical properties that arise from the coupling of magnetic order to quasi-particles. We invite authors to contribute original research articles and review articles that discuss the current progress in this exciting field. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Synthesis and characterization of low-dimensional magnetic materials;
2. Theoretical calculations of band-structure in low-dimensional magnetic systems;
3. Magneto-optical coupling in low-dimensional materials;
4. Optoelectrical properties of low-dimensional magnetic materials and their interactions with magnetic states;
5. Heterostructures involving low-dimensional magnetic materials;
6. Applications in devices such as sensors, memory devices, spin transistors, and photovoltaic devices.

We look forward to your contributions to this cutting-edge topic and advancing our understanding of these fascinating materials.

Dr. Jia Shi
Guest Editor

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• low-dimensional magnetic nanomaterials
• magneto-optical coupling
• spin
• heterostructure
• theoretical calculations

Title: Recent advances in Chromium-based two-dimensional magnetic materials
Authors: Lingjia Meng; Jia Shi; Jinxiang Deng
Affiliation: School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
Abstract: Two-dimensional magnetic materials exhibit great potential in spintronics, arising from their excellent spin transportation, large spin-orbit coupling, and high-quality interfaces. The recent discovery of intrinsic Chromium-based two-dimensional magnetic materials has laid the foundation for the construction of atomically thin spintronic devices, and enables the study of low-dimensional magnetism, which is of both technical and scientific significance. In this review, several representative crystal structures and theoretical investigations of Chromium-based magnetic materials are introduced, followed by a comprehensive summary of the methods utilized in controlled synthesis of the magnets. Thereafter, it is shown that various electrical, mechanical, and chemical approaches are employed to modulate the magnetism of the magnets. Finally, the perspective of Chromium-based magnetic materials in applications is discussed and insights on current and future development direction in this growing field are also proposed.