Electrical switching of perpendicular magnetization in a single ferromagnetic layer

0541004 - FZÚ 2021 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Liu, L. - Yu, J.H. - Gonzalez-Hernandez, R. - Li, C.-J. - Deng, J.Y. - Lin, W.N. - Zhou, C.H. - Zhou, T.J. - Zhou, J. - Wang, H. - Guo, R. - Yoong, H.Y. - Chow, G.M. - Han, X.F. - Dupé, B. - Železný, Jakub - Sinova, Jairo - Chen, J.S.
Electrical switching of perpendicular magnetization in a single ferromagnetic layer.
Physical Review B. Roč. 101, č. 22 (2020), s. 1-7, č. článku 220402. ISSN 2469-9950. E-ISSN 2469-9969
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GX19-28375X; GA ČR GJ19-18623Y
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : spin-orbit torque (SOT) * perpendicular magnetization * ferromagnetic layer
OECD category: Condensed matter physics (including formerly solid state physics, supercond.)
Impact factor: 4.036, year: 2020
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.101.220402

We report on the efficient spin-orbit torque (SOT) switching in a single ferromagnetic layer induced by a new type of inversion asymmetry, the composition gradient. The SOT of 6- to 60-nm epitaxial FePt thin films with a L10 phase is investigated. The magnetization of the FePt single layer can be reversibly switched by applyingelectricalcurrentwithamoderatecurrentdensity.DifferentfrompreviouslyreportedSOTswhicheither decreases with or does not change with the film thickness, the SOT in FePt increases with the film thickness. We found the SOT in FePt can be attributed to the composition gradient along the film normal direction. A linear correlation between the SOT and the composition gradient is observed. This Rapid Communication introduces a platform to engineer large SOTs for lower-power spintronics.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0318578