Generation and Annihilation of Local Magnetic Moments by an Electric Field.

Electric field control of magnetism is highly desirable for designing next-generation spintronic devices. However, the switching effect of local magnetic moments using an external electric field has rarely been demonstrated. Here, we discover a unique magnetoelectric coupling mechanism that is independent of spin-orbit coupling and enables the electric field control of local magnetic moments via a switchable breathing mode. The breathing mode in the MX3 monolayer system breaks the degeneracy between adjacent trimer clusters and induces charge transfer. It can be switched by an external electric field, achieving reversible generation and annihilation of cluster magnetic moments. The reversal of magnetization by an electric field can be achieved by designing a prototype device of magnetoelectric random access memory. This work provides new insights into the control of magnetism by an electric field.