Large unidirectional spin Hall and Rashba−Edelstein magnetoresistance in topological insulator/magnetic insulator heterostructures

Abstract

The unidirectional spin Hall and Rashba−Edelstein magnetoresistance is of great fundamental and practical interest, particularly in the context of reading magnetization states in two-terminal spin–orbit torque memory and logic devices due to its unique symmetry. Here, we report large unidirectional spin Hall and Rashba−Edelstein magnetoresistance in a new material family—magnetic insulator/topological insulator Y3Fe5O12/Bi2Se3 bilayers. Such heterostructures exhibit a unidirectional spin Hall and Rashba−Edelstein magnetoresistance that is about an order of magnitude larger than the highest values reported so far in all-metal Ta/Co bilayers. The polarized neutron reflectometry reveals a unique temperature-dependent magnetic intermediary layer at the magnetic insulator–substrate interface and a proximity layer at the magnetic insulator–topological insulator interface. These polarized neutron reflectometry findings echo the magnetoresistance results in a comprehensive physics picture. Finally, we demonstrate a prototype memory device based on a magnetic insulator/topological insulator bilayer, using unidirectional spin Hall and Rashba−Edelstein magnetoresistance for electrical readout of current-induced magnetization switching aided by a small Oersted field.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 20, 2022
Source ID
10.1063/5.0073976

Entities

People

  • Alexander J. Grutter
  • Brian J Kirby
  • James Kally
  • Jian-Ping Wang
  • Julie Borchers
  • Mingzhong Wu
  • Nitin Samarth
  • Patrick Quarterman
  • Protyush Sahu
  • Tao Liu
  • Timothy Pillsbury
  • Yang Lv

Organizations

  • Colorado State University
  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • National Science Foundation
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • Semiconductor Research Corporation
  • University of Minnesota

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.
  • Superconducting Magnet Technology

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Graphene
  • Space