Deterministic Magnetization Switching via Tunable Noncollinear Spin Configurations in Canted Magnets

• Published in: Nano letters 2023-07, Vol.23 (14), p.6449-6457
• Main Authors: Dou, Pengwei, Zhang, Jingyan, Guo, Yaqin, Zhu, Tao, Luo, Jia, Zhao, Guoping, Huang, He, Yu, Guoqiang, Zhao, Yunchi, Qi, Jie, Deng, Xiao, Wang, Yuanbo, Li, Jialiang, Shen, Jianxin, Zheng, Xinqi, Wu, Yanfei, Yang, Hongxin, Shen, Baogen, Wang, Shouguo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1530-6984; 1530-6992
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01192

Spin obit torque (SOT) driven magnetization switching has been used widely for encoding consumption-efficient memory and logic. However, symmetry breaking under a magnetic field is required to realize the deterministic switching in synthetic antiferromagnets with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), which limits their potential applications. Herein, we report all electric-controlled magnetization switching in the antiferromagnetic Co/Ir/Co trilayers with vertical magnetic imbalance. Besides, the switching polarity could be reversed by optimizing the Ir thickness. By using the polarized neutron reflection (PNR) measurements, the canted noncollinear spin configuration was observed in Co/Ir/Co trilayers, which results from the competition of magnetic inhomogeneity. In addition, the asymmetric domain walls demonstrated by micromagnetic simulations result from introducing imbalance magnetism, leading to the deterministic magnetization switching in Co/Ir/Co trilayers. Our findings highlight a promising route to electric-controlled magnetism via tunable spin configuration, improve our understanding of physical mechanisms, and significantly promote industrial applications in spintronic devices.