The discovery of ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) materials has opened a new frontier in condensed matter physics: the field of ferroic 2D materials. For the first time, it is possible to study long-range magnetic and electric order in freestanding atomically thin crystals, which can be combined with other materials to explore proximity effects, symmetry breaking, and novel quantum phenomena. Yet, much remains unknown about the complex interplay between magnetism, ferroelectricity, and the underlying atomic order in these systems.

The coordinated project STEMIN2D seeks to unravel these intricacies by investigating how magnetic, electric, and structural orders coexist and interact in ferroic 2D materials and their engineered heterostructures. By studying both intrinsic and artificially designed non-collinear magnetic states, and by controlling stacking order and twist angles in van der Waals heterostructures, the project will pave the way for atomically thin devices where spin, light, and charge can be efficiently manipulated by external stimuli such as strain, electric, or magnetic fields. This research aims to establish new paradigms in spintronics and optoelectronics based on multi-state ground states with unprecedented tunability.

To achieve this ambitious goal, STEMIN2D brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of leading Spanish groups. The partners include specialists in crystal growth, optical spectroscopies, and spintronics (ICMol/University of Valencia), experts in synchrotron-based magnetic characterization (ALBA), and a group at the forefront of optoelectronic properties and devices of 2D materials (BCM). Their complementary expertise ensures the successful development of the project, strengthening an already established collaborative network.