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Main Authors: Li, Zhuoyi, Zhang, Zhe, Lu, Xianyang, Xu, Yongbing
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.07447
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author Li, Zhuoyi
Zhang, Zhe
Lu, Xianyang
Xu, Yongbing
author_facet Li, Zhuoyi
Zhang, Zhe
Lu, Xianyang
Xu, Yongbing
contents Researchers have recently identified a novel class of magnetism, termed "altermagnetism", which exhibits characteristics of both ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. Here, we report a groundbreaking discovery of efficient field-free spin-orbit torque (SOT) switching in a RuO$_2$ (101)/Co/Pt/Co/Pt/Ta structure. Our results demonstrate that the spin current flows along the [100] axis, induced by the in-plane charge current, with the spin polarization direction aligned parallel to the Néel vector. These z-polarized spins generate an out-of-plane anti-damping torque, enabling deterministic switching of the Co/Pt layer without the necessity of an external magnetic field. The altermagnetic spin splitting effect (ASSE) in RuO$_2$ promotes the generation of spin currents with pronounced anisotropic behavior, maximized when the charge current flows along the [010] direction. This unique capability yields the highest field-free switching ratio, maintaining stable SOT switching within an external field range of approximately 400 Oe. Notably, ASSE dominates the spin current, especially when the current is aligned with the [010] direction (θ = 90°). Here, the spin polarization component creates a substantial field-like effective field, surpassing the damping-like field from . This highlights the crucial role of in enhancing spin-torque efficiency and elucidating spin flow modulation mechanics in this crystalline context. Our study highlights the potential of RuO$_2$ as a powerful spin current generator, paving the way for practical applications in spin-torque switching technologies and other cutting-edge spintronic devices.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2407_07447
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Spin Splitting in Altermagnetic RuO$_2$ Enables Field-free Spin-Orbit Torque Switching via Dominant Out-of-Plane Spin Polarization
Li, Zhuoyi
Zhang, Zhe
Lu, Xianyang
Xu, Yongbing
Applied Physics
Researchers have recently identified a novel class of magnetism, termed "altermagnetism", which exhibits characteristics of both ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. Here, we report a groundbreaking discovery of efficient field-free spin-orbit torque (SOT) switching in a RuO$_2$ (101)/Co/Pt/Co/Pt/Ta structure. Our results demonstrate that the spin current flows along the [100] axis, induced by the in-plane charge current, with the spin polarization direction aligned parallel to the Néel vector. These z-polarized spins generate an out-of-plane anti-damping torque, enabling deterministic switching of the Co/Pt layer without the necessity of an external magnetic field. The altermagnetic spin splitting effect (ASSE) in RuO$_2$ promotes the generation of spin currents with pronounced anisotropic behavior, maximized when the charge current flows along the [010] direction. This unique capability yields the highest field-free switching ratio, maintaining stable SOT switching within an external field range of approximately 400 Oe. Notably, ASSE dominates the spin current, especially when the current is aligned with the [010] direction (θ = 90°). Here, the spin polarization component creates a substantial field-like effective field, surpassing the damping-like field from . This highlights the crucial role of in enhancing spin-torque efficiency and elucidating spin flow modulation mechanics in this crystalline context. Our study highlights the potential of RuO$_2$ as a powerful spin current generator, paving the way for practical applications in spin-torque switching technologies and other cutting-edge spintronic devices.
title Spin Splitting in Altermagnetic RuO$_2$ Enables Field-free Spin-Orbit Torque Switching via Dominant Out-of-Plane Spin Polarization
topic Applied Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.07447