Dutch Scientists Develop World’s First Platinum Magnet

Platinum is a mid-table, stable, white metal prized for its use in jewelry and electronics. The metal has excellent conductive properties in addition to its good looks.

 A team of scientists from the University of Groningen has reported the successful creation of a two-dimensional magnet made of the precious metal, platinum. The magnet can also be turned 'on' and 'off' using electricity. This switch-ability could be very valuable to manufacturers of the next generation of electronics.

New Developments for New Magnets

The team, led by Justin T. Ye from the University's Device Physics of Complex Materials group, produced magnetism in a thin layer of platinum through its immersion in butylmethylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate (BMIM[FeCl4]).

The paramagnetic ionic fluid completed a transistor by acting as a medium between a gold electrode and the platinum film as a channel. This setup conferred ferromagnetism on the platinum, in the presence of an electric field.

Platinum Ferromagnets and Spintronics

The platinum ferromagnet can also be used to control charge, which makes it even more amenable to spintronic applications. Additionally, the paramagnetic fluid allows greater control over the number of carriers available across the magnet.

However, the Groningen team's uni-layer solution is simpler and can, therefore, be more attractive to those interested in this potential field of electronics.

Reference:

Deirdre O’Donnell, Dutch Scientists Develop World’s First Platinum Magnet, Article from www.evolving-science.com