Proximity-induced ferromagnetism and chemical reactivity in few layers VSe₂ heterostructures

Among Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides, mono and few-layers thick VSe₂ has gained much recent attention following claims of intrinsic room-temperature ferromagnetism in this system, which have nonetheless proved controversial. Here, we address the magnetic and chemical properties of Fe/VSe₂ heterostructure by combining element sensitive absorption spectroscopy and photoemission spectroscopy. Our x-ray magnetic circular dichroism results confirm recent findings that both native mono/few-layer and bulk VSe₂ do not show any signature of an intrinsic ferromagnetic ordering. Nonetheless, we find that ferromagnetism can be induced, even at room temperature, after coupling with a Fe thin film layer, with antiparallel alignment of the moment on the V with respect to Fe. We further consider the chemical reactivity at the Fe/VSe₂ interface and its relation with interfacial magnetic coupling.