Work

Optimizing unconventional trilayer SOTs for field-free switching

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The symmetry and magnitude of unconventional spin–orbit torques in ferromagnet/heavy metal/ferromagnet trilayers are investigated. Several spin-generating mechanisms are considered such as the anomalous Hall effect, anisotropic magnetoresistance, the Rashba-Edelstein effect, and the spin Hall effect. Optimal material thicknesses and magnetization configurations for maximizing out-of-plane spin torques for breaking the bilayer symmetry are presented. Furthermore, field-free switching simulations of a perpendicular SOT-MRAM utilizing the optimized trilayer torques are demonstrated, showing improved switching currents compared to another reported trilayer-based device. • We investigate unconventional SOTs in trilayers to identify optimal configurations for achieving field-free switching of perpendicularly magnetized FMs. • The dependence of the out-of-plane SOTs on the FePt magnetization direction, reveals a strong angular dependence of the torque. • The simulation results of our proposed SOT-MTJ configuration suggest a drastic decrease in the required switching current.

Source: Solid-State Electronics

DOI: 10.1016/j.sse.2025.109135

Authors: Nils Petter Jørstad, Wolfgang Goes, Siegfried Selberherr, Viktor Sverdlov

Institutions: TU Wien, Silvaco (United Kingdom)

Language: English

Topic: Magnetic properties of thin films

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,410

Funders: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft, Österreichische Nationalstiftung für Forschung, Technologie und Entwicklung, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Technische Universität Wien Bibliothek