Ultralow-vertical current magnetization switching effect in an all van der Waals 2D heterostructure

The manipulation of magnetization and spin polarization through electrical currents represents a fundamental breakthrough in spintronics, forming the foundation in data storage, and next-generation computing systems. Spin-transfer torque (STT) and spinorbit torque (SOT) have emerged as leading technologies in current-driven magnetization switching. However, these approaches typically require critical current densities in the range of 10⁶ to 10⁹ A cm^-2, resulting in significant heat generation during data writing processes. Here, we report the discovery of an ultralow-vertical current magnetization switching effect with critical current density as low as 1.81 A cm^-2, and an average effective field (H_eff/J_C) as high as 150.3 mT A^-1 cm², in a van der Waals ferromagnetic/ferroelectric heterostructure, based on the modulation of critical magnetic field (H_C) by small vertical currents. This unique magnetization switching effect with ultralow-vertical critical current densities typically 6-9 orders of magnitude lower than STT and SOT provides a new transformative and viable pathway for the development of next-generation spintronic and quantum technologies.