Magnetization switching process by dual spin–orbit torque in interlayer exchange-coupled systems

Abstract

We report current-induced magnetization switching in Pt/Co/Ir/Co/Pt multilayers with different Ir layer thicknesses (tIr), where the perpendicularly magnetized Co layers are coupled ferromagnetically or antiferromagnetically through an interlayer exchange coupling and are sandwiched by the Pt spin Hall layers. The domain structures formed during switching vary depending on the magnetization alignment, i.e., a ferromagnetically coupled or antiferromagnetically coupled configuration. These results clarify the macroscopic picture of switching process for interlayer exchange-coupled systems. The local picture of the switching process is also examined by a numerical calculation based on a macrospin model, which reveals the switching dynamics triggered by dual spin–orbit torques for both antiferromagnetically and ferromagnetically coupled cases. The numerical calculation shows that the dual spin–orbit torques from the two Pt layers effectively act on the two Co layers not only for the antiferromagnetically coupled case but also for the ferromagnetically coupled one. Our findings deepen the understanding of the switching mechanism in a magnetic multilayer and provide an avenue to design spintronic devices with more efficient spin–orbit torque switching.