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Room temperature magnetization switching in topological insulator-ferromagnet heterostructures by spin-orbit torques

Author

Listed:
  • Yi Wang

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Dapeng Zhu

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Yang Wu

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Yumeng Yang

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Jiawei Yu

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Rajagopalan Ramaswamy

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Rahul Mishra

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Shuyuan Shi

    (National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore)

  • Mehrdad Elyasi

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Kie-Leong Teo

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Yihong Wu

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Hyunsoo Yang

    (National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore)

Abstract

Topological insulators with spin-momentum-locked topological surface states are expected to exhibit a giant spin-orbit torque in the topological insulator/ferromagnet systems. To date, the topological insulator spin-orbit torque-driven magnetization switching is solely reported in a Cr-doped topological insulator at 1.9 K. Here we directly show giant spin-orbit torque-driven magnetization switching in a Bi2Se3/NiFe heterostructure at room temperature captured using a magneto-optic Kerr effect microscope. We identify a large charge-to-spin conversion efficiency of ~1–1.75 in the thin Bi2Se3 films, where the topological surface states are dominant. In addition, we find the current density required for the magnetization switching is extremely low, ~6 × 105 A cm–2, which is one to two orders of magnitude smaller than that with heavy metals. Our demonstration of room temperature magnetization switching of a conventional 3d ferromagnet using Bi2Se3 may lead to potential innovations in topological insulator-based spintronic applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi Wang & Dapeng Zhu & Yang Wu & Yumeng Yang & Jiawei Yu & Rajagopalan Ramaswamy & Rahul Mishra & Shuyuan Shi & Mehrdad Elyasi & Kie-Leong Teo & Yihong Wu & Hyunsoo Yang, 2017. "Room temperature magnetization switching in topological insulator-ferromagnet heterostructures by spin-orbit torques," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-01583-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01583-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrey Polyakov & Katayoon Mohseni & Roberto Felici & Christian Tusche & Ying-Jun Chen & Vitaly Feyer & Jochen Geck & Tobias Ritschel & Arthur Ernst & Juan Rubio-Zuazo & German R. Castro & Holger L. M, 2022. "Fermi surface chirality induced in a TaSe2 monosheet formed by a Ta/Bi2Se3 interface reaction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Hao Wu & Aitian Chen & Peng Zhang & Haoran He & John Nance & Chenyang Guo & Julian Sasaki & Takanori Shirokura & Pham Nam Hai & Bin Fang & Seyed Armin Razavi & Kin Wong & Yan Wen & Yinchang Ma & Guoqi, 2021. "Magnetic memory driven by topological insulators," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.

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