Enhanced spin Hall torque efficiency in Pt100−xAlx and Pt100−xHfx alloys arising from the intrinsic spin Hall effect

Abstract

We report that the spin Hall torque generated by Pt can be enhanced substantially by alloying with Al or Hf. We observe damping-like spin torque efficiency per unit applied current density as high as ξDLj=0.23±0.02, nearly twice the maximum value reported for pure Pt. To achieve this maximum efficiency, a very thin (0.5 nm) Pt spacer layer is inserted between the alloy and the ferromagnet being manipulated, to avoid a degraded spin transparency at the alloy/ferromagnet interface.