Search

Abstract The coexistence of multiple ferroic orders, i.e., multiferroicity, is a scarce property to be found in materials. Historically, this state has been found mainly in 3-dimensional complex oxides, but so far, this state has still been elusive for the most widely studied and characterized family of 2-dimensional compounds, the transition metal dichalcogenides. In this study, we report the experimental realization of multiferroic states in this family of materials, at room temperature, in bulk single crystals of Te-doped WSe2. We observe the coexistence of ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity, evidenced in the presence of magnetization and piezoresponse force microscopy hysteresis loops. These findings open the possibility of widening the use and study of van der Waals-based multifunctional devices for nanoelectronics and spintronics applications.

We present the design, fabrication and discuss the performance of a new combined high-resolution Scanning Tunneling and Thermopower Microscope (STM/SThEM). We also describe the development of the electronic control, the user interface, the vacuum system, and arrangements to reduce acoustical noise and vibrations. We demonstrate the microscope's performance with atomic-resolution topographic images of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and local thermopower measurements in the semimetal Bi 2 Te 3 . Our system offers a tool to investigate the relationship between electronic structure and thermoelectric properties at the nanoscale., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Jose Augusto Galvis Echeverri reports financial support, administrative support, and equipment, drugs, or supplies were provided by University of Rosario. Paula Giraldo-Gallo reports financial support, administrative support, and equipment, drugs, or supplies were provided by University of the Andes. Javier Casas-Salgado reports financial support, administrative support, and equipment, drugs, or supplies were provided by Central University. Oscar L. Herrera-Sandoval reports financial support and equipment, drugs, or supplies were provided by Central University. Jose Augusto Galvis Echeverri reports financial support was provided by Colombia Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation. Paula Giraldo-Gallo reports financial support was provided by Foundation for the Promotion of Research and Technology. Edwin Herrera-Vasco reports financial support was provided by Colombia Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation. Edwin Herrera-Vasco reports equipment, drugs, or supplies was provided by Autonomous University of Madrid. Hermann Suderow reports equipment, drugs, or supplies was provided by Autonomous University of Madrid. Jose Augusto Galvis reports equipment, drugs, or supplies was provided by Central University., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)