Spin-orbit torques in perpendicularly magnetized Ir22Mn78/Co20Fe60B20/MgO multilayer

The current-induced spin-orbit torques (SOTs) in the perpendicularly magnetized Ir22Mn78/Co20Fe60B20/MgO structures are investigated. The damping- and field-like torques are characterized using a harmonic technique. The spin Hall angle of Ir22Mn78 is determined to beθSHE = +0.057 ± 0.002. The SOT-driven magnetization switching is also demonstrated with the assistance of an external in-plane field. Furthermore, themagneto-optical Kerr effect imaging experiments show that the magnetization switching is realized through domainnucleation anddomain wall motion. These results may promise potential practical applications in high-performance SOT devices based on the antiferromagnetic materials.

Source: Applied Physics Letters - November 28, 2016 Category: Physics Authors: Di Wu, Guoqiang Yu, Ching-Tzu Chen, Seyed Armin Razavi, Qiming Shao, Xiang Li, Bingcheng Zhao, Kin L. Wong, Congli He, Zongzhi Zhang, Pedram Khalili Amiri and Kang L. Wang Source Type: research