Spin–orbit torques of an in-plane magnetized system modulated by the spin transport in the ferromagnetic Co layer

Fen Xue,Wilman Tsai,Yen-Lin Huang,Shan X Wang,Shy-Jay Lin,Peng Li,William Hwang

doi:10.1063/5.0048917

Abstract

Spin–orbit torque (SOT) magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) devices have been proposed for energy efficient memory and computing applications. New classes of materials such as antiferromagnets, topological insulators, and semimetals can generate spins with unconventional polarization and improve the efficiency of field-free SOT switching. In this work, we report significant changes in SOTs due to a Co thin film inserted in the Pt/Co/Mg/CoFeB heterostructures. Remarkably, the damping-like effective field has been enhanced by 7.4 times after inserting a thin Co layer with weak perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), while the field-like effective field is reduced to near zero value. Independent characterizations were performed to verify the presence of the changes in SOTs following spin modulation by the Co insertion layer. In addition, we found that the dynamic spin pumping coupling between Pt/Co with weak PMA and the in-plane CoFeB could significantly modulate the effective SOTs in the heterostructure, and this effect is dependent on the thickness of the spacer Mg through long-range spin-wave mediated coupling. Our work has experimentally demonstrated a new avenue to modulate SOTs with physically sputtered metal layers, and this finding is promising to enable flexible and efficient spin polarizations for MRAM devices.

Highlights

Ordinary FMs composed of 3d transition metals have small spin–orbit coupling (SOC); it has been theoretically predicted with firstprinciples calculation that the spin Hall effect (SHE) and spin anomalous Hall effect (SAHE) efficiencies of FM materials, such as Fe, Ni, and Co, are comparable to the spin-torque efficiency of heavy metals (HMs) Pt.14 notable spin-torque efficiency has not been experimentally observed in FM materials, we believe that the AHE is able to control Spin–orbit torque (SOT) exerted on the FM free layer.15 anomalous spin–orbit torque (ASOT),16 planar Hall effect (PHE),17 and magnetization-dependent SHE (MDSHE)18 are promising mechanisms of modulating spin polarization by the magnetic film
The damping-like effective field has been enhanced by 7.4 times after inserting a thin Co layer with weak perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), while the field-like effective field is reduced to near zero value
We found that the dynamic spin pumping coupling between Pt/Co with weak PMA and the in-plane CoFeB could significantly modulate the effective SOTs in the heterostructure, and this effect is dependent on the thickness of the spacer Mg through long-range spin-wave mediated coupling

Summary

Introduction

Ordinary FMs composed of 3d transition metals have small SOC; it has been theoretically predicted with firstprinciples calculation that the spin Hall effect (SHE) and spin anomalous Hall effect (SAHE) efficiencies of FM materials, such as Fe, Ni, and Co, are comparable to the spin-torque efficiency of HM Pt.14 notable spin-torque efficiency has not been experimentally observed in FM materials, we believe that the AHE is able to control SOTs exerted on the FM free layer.15 anomalous spin–orbit torque (ASOT),16 planar Hall effect (PHE),17 and magnetization-dependent SHE (MDSHE)18 are promising mechanisms of modulating spin polarization by the magnetic film. We found that the dynamic spin pumping coupling between Pt/Co with weak PMA and the in-plane CoFeB could significantly modulate the effective SOTs in the heterostructure, and this effect is dependent on the thickness of the spacer Mg through long-range spin-wave mediated coupling.

Results

Conclusion