Emerging spintronics applications of magnetic van der Waals heterostructures

Abstract Designing magnetic van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures by stacking two‐dimensional (2D) magnetic materials with other 2D materials enables the investigation of 2D spintronics owing to the strong magnetic proximity effect. Spin manipulation at the vdW interface can be achieved by stacking architectures and external stimuli, such as magnetic fields, electric fields, stress, and light. Moreover, elucidating the effects of magnetic interfacial interactions and related interlayer coupling is crucial for exploring practical spintronic applications of magnetic vdW heterostructures. In this review, vdW interlayer interactions are categorized into spin–orbit coupling, spin transfer torque, and spin–charge transfer, and the magnetic vdW heterostructures are classified into three categories: magnetic material/magnetic material, magnetic material/non‐magnetic material, and magnetic material/ferroelectric material heterostructures. Subsequently, related interfacial interactions in magnetic vdW heterostructures are introduced, and the spin manipulation technique is discussed. Moreover, various applications of magnetic vdW heterostructures by modulating the electron spin are explored. Finally, emerging opportunities are highlighted, and a perspective on the future development of magnetic vdW heterostructures through delicate spin manipulation is provided.