Anatomy of spin-orbit-torque-assisted magnetization dynamics in Co/Pt bilayers: Importance of the orbital torque
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Understanding the mechanism driving magnetization switching in spin-orbit-torque-assisted devices remains a subject of debate. While originally attributed to the spin Hall effect and spin Rashba-Edelstein effect, recent discoveries related to orbital moments induced by the orbital Hall effect and the orbital Rashba-Edelstein effect have added complexity to the comprehension of the switching process in nonmagnet/ferromagnet bilayers. Addressing this challenge, we present a quantitative investigation of a Pt/Co bilayer by employing atomistic spin dynamics simulations, incorporating the proximity-induced moments of Pt, as well as electrically induced spin and orbital moments obtained from first-principles calculations. Our layer-resolved model elucidates the dampinglike and fieldlike nature of the induced moments by separating them according to their even and odd magnetization dependence. In addition to demonstrating that a larger fieldlike spin-orbit-torque contribution comes from previously disregarded induced orbital moments, our work highlights the necessity of considering interactions with Pt-induced moments at the interface, as they contribute significantly to the switching dynamics.
DOI: 10.1103/5k5n-4hr7
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: G1273559663, G1364364715, G1620479875, G1920691433, G2196591555, G2559764746, G2687067740, G2770980440, G2953162778, G2953420400, G298428782, TRR 227: Ultraschnelle Spindynamik, G3405320913, G3577624335, G3786150995, G4425364659, G4462699042, G4846862643, G4901146333, G5012956223, G5404377299, G5912516256, G6048984736, SFB 1432: Fluktuationen und Nichtlinearitäten in klassischer und Quantenmaterie jenseits des Gleichgewichts, G769284229, G7694217703, G785787759, NAISS, G967628899
OpenAlex ID: W4415608640