Spin–orbit torque-driven current-induced domain wall motion in Gd–Fe magnetic wires

Abstract

We fabricated Gd–Fe/Ta/sub. and W/Gd–Fe/Ta/sub. perpendicular magnetized magnetic wires and investigated current-induced domain wall motion (CIDWM) in them. The propagation field of the Gd–Fe wires is low (∼3 mT), and the wires were found to have a low threshold current density (∼3.1 × 1010 A m−2) of CIDWM. The directions of the CIDWM in Gd–Fe/Ta and W/Gd–Fe/Ta wires are opposite to each other, indicating that the CIDWM in both wires is driven by spin–orbit torque because the spin Hall torque generated by the Ta underlayer and W cap layer oppose each other.