Spin Hall switching of the magnetization in Ta/TbFeCo structures with bulk perpendicular anisotropy

Abstract

Spin-orbit torques are studied in Ta/TbFeCo/MgO patterned structures, where the ferrimagnetic material TbFeCo provides a strong bulk perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (bulk-PMA) independent of the interfaces. The current-induced magnetization switching in TbFeCo is investigated in the presence of a perpendicular, longitudinal, or transverse field. An unexpected partial-switching phenomenon is observed in the presence of a transverse field unique to our bulk-PMA material. It is found that the anti-damping torque related with spin Hall effect is very strong, and a spin Hall angle is determined to be 0.12. The field-like torque related with Rashba effect is unobservable, suggesting that the interface play a significant role in Rashba-like torque.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Mar 30, 2015
Source ID
10.1063/1.4916665

Entities

People

  • Angeline K. Smith
  • Jian-Ping Wang
  • Mahdi Jamali
  • Zhengyang Zhao

Organizations

  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
  • National Science Foundation
  • Semiconductor Research Corporation
  • University of Minnesota

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Nanofabrication and Microfabrication.
  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.
  • Quantum spin resonance or Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster