Generation, transmission, and conversion of orbital torque by an antiferromagnetic insulator.

ABSTRACT: Electrical control of magnetization in nanoscale devices can be significantly improved through the efficient generation of orbital currents and their conversion into spin currents. In nonmagnetic/ferromagnetic bilayers, this conversion produces a torque on the magnetization, enabling magnetization switching and dynamic manipulation. While previous studies focus on metallic ferromagnets, we demonstrate a large orbital torque and enhanced orbital-to-spin conversion by an antiferromagnetic insulating CoO layer. Measurements in CuO_x/CoO/Co trilayers show that inserting CoO reverses the torque's sign and triples its magnitude compared to CuO_x/Co. This behaviour stems from the inverted oxygen gradient at the CuO_x/CoO interface and CoO's high orbital multiplicity,

SUBMITTER: Ding S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12534483 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature