6533b828fe1ef96bd128827c
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Electric-Field Control of Spin-Orbit Torques in Perpendicularly Magnetized W/CoFeB/MgO Films
Gerhard JakobYuriy MokrousovYuriy MokrousovMathias KläuiJan-philipp HankeJan-philipp HankeM. FilianinaSamridh JaiswalDong-soo HanAdithya RajanKyujoon Leesubject
Materials scienceCondensed matter physicsSpintronicsMagnetismGeneral Physics and AstronomyPolarization (waves)01 natural sciences7. Clean energyPiezoelectricityMagnetizationElectric field0103 physical sciencesPerpendicularTorque010306 general physicsdescription
Controlling magnetism by electric fields offers a highly attractive perspective for designing future generations of energy-efficient information technologies. Here, we demonstrate that the magnitude of current-induced spin-orbit torques in thin perpendicularly magnetized CoFeB films can be tuned and even increased by electric-field generated piezoelectric strain. Using theoretical calculations, we uncover that the subtle interplay of spin-orbit coupling, crystal symmetry, and orbital polarization is at the core of the observed strain dependence of spin-orbit torques. Our results open a path to integrating two energy efficient spin manipulation approaches, the electric-field-induced strain and the current-induced magnetization switching, thereby enabling novel device concepts.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-05-26 | Physical Review Letters |