Non-volatile Orbital magnetoelectric effect in a two-dimensional electron gas

Abstract

Electrical control of orbital magnetism is a central goal of orbitronics. While current-induced orbital polarization has recently been demonstrated in inversion-asymmetric systems, nonvolatile electrical control of an equilibrium orbital moment has remained elusive. Here, using x-ray absorption spectroscopy with \textit{in situ} electric-field control of the FE polarization, we demonstrate non-volatile switching of the equilibrium orbital magnetization of the oxide q2DEGs formed at the LaAlO${}_3$/EuTiO${}_3$/Ca-STO (001) interface. X-ray linear dichroism reveals a reversible modulation, driven by the FE-polarization direction, of the Ti-3$d$ crystal-field splitting and orbital occupancy, establishing a ferroelectric-like metallic state. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism shows a polarization-controlled switching of the Eu${}^{2+}$ orbital magnetic moment induced by the orbital magnetization of the q2DEG projected onto Eu-5$d$ states and detected at the Eu-$M_{4,5}$ edge through Eu-5$d$/Eu-4$f$ hybridization in the inversion-symmetry-broken interface. These results provide spectroscopic evidence of ferroelectric control of orbital magnetism in an oxide q2DEG.

11 pages, 6 figures, 1 Supplementary Material