Field-free spin-orbit torque switching via out-of-plane spin-polarization induced by an antiferromagnetic insulator/heavy metal interface.

ABSTRACT: Manipulating spin polarization orientation is challenging but crucial for field-free spintronic devices. Although such manipulation has been demonstrated in a limited number of antiferromagnetic metal-based systems, the inevitable shunting effects from the metallic layer can reduce the overall device efficiency. In this study, we propose an antiferromagnetic insulator-based heterostructure NiO/Ta/Pt/Co/Pt for such spin polarization control without any shunting effect in the antiferromagnetic layer. We show that zero-field magnetization switching can be realized and is related to the out-of-plane component of spin polarization modulated by the NiO/Pt interface. The zero-field magnetization switching ratio can be effectively tuned by the substrates, in which the easy axis of NiO can be manip

SUBMITTER: Wang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10198983 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature