Characterization and Manipulation of Spin Orbit Torque in Magnetic Heterostructures

Xuepeng Qiu; Zhong Shi; Weijia Fan; Shiming Zhou; Hyunsoo Yang

doi:10.1002/adma.201705699

Characterization and Manipulation of Spin Orbit Torque in Magnetic Heterostructures

Adv Mater. 2018 Apr;30(17):e1705699. doi: 10.1002/adma.201705699. Epub 2018 Feb 22.

Authors

Xuepeng Qiu¹, Zhong Shi¹, Weijia Fan¹, Shiming Zhou¹, Hyunsoo Yang²

Affiliations

¹ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Special Artificial Microstructure Materials and Technology and School of Physics Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
² Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore.

PMID: 29468735
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201705699

Abstract

Electrical-current-induced magnetization switching is a keystone concept in the development of spintronics devices. In the last few years, this field has experienced a significant boost with the discovery of spin orbit torque (SOT) in magnetic heterostructures. Here, the recent results as to the characterization and manipulation of SOT in various heavy-metal/ferromagnet heterostructures are summarized. First, different electrical measurement methods that allow the physical features of SOT to be revealed are introduced. Second, it is shown that SOT in magnetic heterostructures can be manipulated via various material engineering approaches. The interfacial and bulk contributions of SOT are also discussed. These results advance the understanding of SOT and provide novel approaches toward energy-efficient spintronic devices.

Keywords: Rashba effect; magnetic heterostructures; spin Hall effect; spin orbit torque.

Publication types

Review