Electrical control of magnetization in narrow zigzag silicon carbon nanoribbons

A first principles investigation of the electronic properties of narrow silicon carbon nanoribbons (SiC NRs) having zigzag-shaped edges passivated by hydrogen is presented. It is found that the zigzag (SiC NRs) exhibit interesting behavior. When an external transverse electric field is applied, the zigzag SiC NRs are converted to ferromagnetic metal from magnetic semiconductor. Interestingly, the magnetization direction depends on the field direction; i.e., the field direction is reversed, and the magnetization direction inverses. Thus, the ZSiC NRs may be utilized for spintronic devices by rendering the enhanced magnetization and changing the spin orientation.