Spin–orbit torque-induced multiple magnetization switching behaviors in synthetic antiferromagnets

This paper studies spin–orbit torque (SOT) switching behaviors in synthetic antiferromagnet (SyAF) structures of Ta/[Pt/Co]m/Ru/[Co/Pt]n, which are asymmetric between the upper multilayer (UML) and the bottom multilayer (BML). The SOT-induced magnetization switching loops show multiple transitions o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics letters 2020-09, Vol.117 (11)
Main Authors: Zhu, Libai, Xu, Xiaoguang, Wang, Mengxi, Meng, Kangkang, Wu, Yong, Chen, Jikun, Miao, Jun, Jiang, Yong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antiferromagnetism
Applied physics
Cobalt
Electrons
Magnetic moments
Magnetic switching
Magnetism
Magnetization
Multilayers
Platinum
Ruthenium
Tantalum
Torque
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper studies spin–orbit torque (SOT) switching behaviors in synthetic antiferromagnet (SyAF) structures of Ta/[Pt/Co]m/Ru/[Co/Pt]n, which are asymmetric between the upper multilayer (UML) and the bottom multilayer (BML). The SOT-induced magnetization switching loops show multiple transitions of switching orientations between clockwise and anticlockwise with an increasing in-plane magnetic field, determined by the effects of the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction from both the BML and UML in the different stacking structures. Moreover, the field-free SOT switching was observed in the structure of Ta/[Pt/Co]3/Ru (0.5)/[Co/Pt]4. It can be attributed to the horizontal component of magnetic moments in its UML acting as an equivalent field. Therefore, the SyAF structures could be potential candidates for the future SOT-based spintronic devices.
ISSN:0003-6951
1077-3118
DOI:10.1063/5.0020925