Anomalous spin-orbit torque switching due to field-like torque-assisted domain wall reflection

作者：Yoon, Jungbum; Lee, Seo-Won; Kwon, Jae Hyun; Lee, Jong Min; Son, Jaesung; Qiu, Xuepeng; Lee, Kyung-Jin^*; Yang, Hyunsoo^*

来源：Science Advances, 2017, 3(4): e1603099.

DOI：10.1126/sciadv.1603099

• DYNAMICS
• SEMICONDUCTORS
• TEMPERATURE

Spin-orbit torques (SOTs) allow the electrical control of magnetic states. Current-induced SOT switching of the perpendicular magnetization is of particular technological importance. The SOT consists of damping-like and field-like torques, and understanding the combined effects of these two torque components is required for efficient SOT switching. Previous quasi-static measurements have reported an increased switching probability with the width of current pulses, as predicted considering the damping-like torque alone. We report a decreased switching probability at longer pulse widths, based on time-resolved measurements. Micromagnetic analysis reveals that this anomalous SOT switching results from domain wall reflections at sample edges. The domain wall reflection was found to strongly depend on the field-like torque and its relative sign to the damping-like torque. Our result demonstrates a key role of the field-like torque in deterministic SOT switching and the importance of the sign correlation of the two torque components, which may shed light on the SOT switching mechanism.

• 出版日期2017-4
• 单位同济大学