“…Computationally, there are several schemes [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] for achieving voltage-driven in-plane magnetization reversal under zero external magnetic fields mediated by strain 16,18,20,22,23 or exchange coupling. 17,21 By contrast, there is only one approach [24][25][26][27] for achieving voltage-driven perpendicular magnetization reversal under zero external magnetic fields, that is, using pulse-voltage-induced transient strains (through converse piezoelectric effect) to temporarily switch the perpendicular magnetic EA to the in-plane direction. Generally, a strain-mediated voltage-driven magnetization switching (in-plane or perpendicular, 90°or 180°) involves the following four coupled dynamic processes as outlined in Hu et al 2 : (i) establishment of the electric field in the piezoelectric, (ii) creation/release of strains, (iii) transfer of strain across the magnetic/piezoelectric interface, and (iv) strain-enabled magnetization switching in the magnet.…”