Efficient full spin–orbit torque switching in a single layer of a perpendicularly magnetized single-crystalline ferromagnet
10.1038/s41467-019-10553-x
Crossref journal-article
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Nature Communications (297)
Abstract

AbstractSpin–orbit torque (SOT), which is induced by an in-plane electric current via large spin-orbit coupling, enables an innovative method of manipulating the magnetization of ferromagnets by means of current injection. In conventional SOT bilayer systems, the magnetization switching efficiency strongly depends on the interface quality and the strength of the intrinsic spin Hall Effect. Here, we demonstrate highly efficient full SOT switching achieved by applying a current in a single layer of perpendicularly magnetized ferromagnetic semiconductor GaMnAs with an extremely small current density of ∼3.4 × 105 A cm−2, which is two orders of magnitude smaller than that needed in typical metal bilayer systems. This low required current density is attributed to the intrinsic bulk inversion asymmetry of GaMnAs as well as its high-quality single crystallinity and large spin polarization. Our findings will contribute to advancements in the electrical control of magnetism and its practical application in semiconductor devices.

Bibliography

Jiang, M., Asahara, H., Sato, S., Kanaki, T., Yamasaki, H., Ohya, S., & Tanaka, M. (2019). Efficient full spin–orbit torque switching in a single layer of a perpendicularly magnetized single-crystalline ferromagnet. Nature Communications, 10(1).

Authors 7
  1. Miao Jiang (first)
  2. Hirokatsu Asahara (additional)
  3. Shoichi Sato (additional)
  4. Toshiki Kanaki (additional)
  5. Hiroki Yamasaki (additional)
  6. Shinobu Ohya (additional)
  7. Masaaki Tanaka (additional)
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Dates
Type When
Created 6 years, 2 months ago (June 13, 2019, 6:02 a.m.)
Deposited 2 years, 8 months ago (Dec. 16, 2022, 6:53 p.m.)
Indexed 2 weeks, 2 days ago (Aug. 6, 2025, 9:11 a.m.)
Issued 6 years, 2 months ago (June 13, 2019)
Published 6 years, 2 months ago (June 13, 2019)
Published Online 6 years, 2 months ago (June 13, 2019)
Funders 0

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@article{Jiang_2019, title={Efficient full spin–orbit torque switching in a single layer of a perpendicularly magnetized single-crystalline ferromagnet}, volume={10}, ISSN={2041-1723}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10553-x}, DOI={10.1038/s41467-019-10553-x}, number={1}, journal={Nature Communications}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Jiang, Miao and Asahara, Hirokatsu and Sato, Shoichi and Kanaki, Toshiki and Yamasaki, Hiroki and Ohya, Shinobu and Tanaka, Masaaki}, year={2019}, month=jun }