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Electric-field control of field-free spin-orbit torque switching via laterally modulated Rashba effect in Pt/Co/AlOx structures

Author

Listed:
  • Min-Gu Kang

    (KAIST)

  • Jong-Guk Choi

    (KAIST)

  • Jimin Jeong

    (KAIST)

  • Jae Yeol Park

    (KAIST)

  • Hyeon-Jong Park

    (Korea University)

  • Taehwan Kim

    (Korea University)

  • Taekhyeon Lee

    (KAIST)

  • Kab-Jin Kim

    (KAIST)

  • Kyoung-Whan Kim

    (Center for Spintronics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Jung Hyun Oh

    (Korea University)

  • Duc Duong Viet

    (Chungnam National University)

  • Jong-Ryul Jeong

    (Chungnam National University)

  • Jong Min Yuk

    (KAIST)

  • Jongsun Park

    (Korea University)

  • Kyung-Jin Lee

    (KAIST)

  • Byong-Guk Park

    (KAIST)

Abstract

Spin-orbit coupling effect in structures with broken inversion symmetry, known as the Rashba effect, facilitates spin-orbit torques (SOTs) in heavy metal/ferromagnet/oxide structures, along with the spin Hall effect. Electric-field control of the Rashba effect is established for semiconductor interfaces, but it is challenging in structures involving metals owing to the screening effect. Here, we report that the Rashba effect in Pt/Co/AlOx structures is laterally modulated by electric voltages, generating out-of-plane SOTs. This enables field-free switching of the perpendicular magnetization and electrical control of the switching polarity. Changing the gate oxide reverses the sign of out-of-plane SOT while maintaining the same sign of voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy, which confirms the Rashba effect at the Co/oxide interface is a key ingredient of the electric-field modulation. The electrical control of SOT switching polarity in a reversible and non-volatile manner can be utilized for programmable logic operations in spintronic logic-in-memory devices.

Suggested Citation

  • Min-Gu Kang & Jong-Guk Choi & Jimin Jeong & Jae Yeol Park & Hyeon-Jong Park & Taehwan Kim & Taekhyeon Lee & Kab-Jin Kim & Kyoung-Whan Kim & Jung Hyun Oh & Duc Duong Viet & Jong-Ryul Jeong & Jong Min Y, 2021. "Electric-field control of field-free spin-orbit torque switching via laterally modulated Rashba effect in Pt/Co/AlOx structures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-27459-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27459-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhaochu Luo & Aleš Hrabec & Trong Phuong Dao & Giacomo Sala & Simone Finizio & Junxiao Feng & Sina Mayr & Jörg Raabe & Pietro Gambardella & Laura J. Heyderman, 2020. "Current-driven magnetic domain-wall logic," Nature, Nature, vol. 579(7798), pages 214-218, March.
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