The discovery of atomic monolayer magnetic materials has triggered significant interest in the magnetism/spintronics and 2D van der Waals materials communities. Here we review recent progress in this rapidly growing field. We survey the physical properties of the large class of layered magnetic materials, and discuss recent advances in the study of these materials in the 2D limit. We then overview the optical and electrical techniques used for probing 2D magnetic materials (for reading their magnetic states) and the mechanisms for reorienting and/or switching 2D magnets by electric fields (for writing). Emerging device concepts based on magnetic van der Waals heterostructures are also discussed. We conclude with the future challenges and opportunities in this area of research.

原子单层磁性材料的发现引起了人们对磁性/自旋电子学和二维范德华材料界的极大兴趣。在这里，我们回顾了这个快速增长领域中的最新进展。我们调查了一大类分层磁性材料的物理性质，并讨论了在二维极限条件下研究这些材料的最新进展。然后，我们概述了用于探测2D磁性材料（用于读取其磁性状态）的光学和电气技术，以及用于通过电场重新定向和/或切换2D磁体（用于写入）的机制。还讨论了基于磁性范德华力异质结构的新兴器件概念。我们总结了该研究领域的未来挑战和机遇。