Field-free spin-orbit switching of perpendicular magnetization enabled by dislocation-induced in-plane symmetry breaking.

ABSTRACT: Current induced spin-orbit torque (SOT) holds great promise for next generation magnetic-memory technology. Field-free SOT switching of perpendicular magnetization requires the breaking of in-plane symmetry, which can be artificially introduced by external magnetic field, exchange coupling or device asymmetry. Recently it has been shown that the exploitation of inherent crystal symmetry offers a simple and potentially efficient route towards field-free switching. However, applying this approach to the benchmark SOT materials such as ferromagnets and heavy metals is challenging. Here, we present a strategy to break the in-plane symmetry of Pt/Co heterostructures by designing the orientation of Burgers vectors of dislocations. We show that the lattice of Pt/Co is tilted by about 1.2° when th

SUBMITTER: Liang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10482861 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature