Work

Supercurrent-driven Néel torque in superconductor/altermagnet hybrids

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We predict a supercurrent-driven Néel spin-orbit torque in a superconductor/$d$-wave altermagnet heterostructure, associated with the emergence of spin-triplet correlations. The effect can be understood as a consequence of the supercurrent-induced spin polarization, owing to the interplay between spin orbit coupling and momentum-dependent spin splitting, as found, for example, in altermagnets. Remarkably, the supercurrent can be tuned by the Néel-vector direction, and the supercurrent-induced torque can both propel magnetic domain walls and reverse the Néel-vector orientation within a domain wall. These findings establish superconductor/altermagnet heterostructures as a versatile platform for the {supercurrent-driven} control of the Néel vector, with potential applications in racetrack memory, dissipationless superconducting electronics, and unconventional computing.

Source: Physical review. B./Physical review. B

DOI: 10.1103/8zh7-h5xd

Authors: Hamed Vakili, Moaz Ali, Igor Žutić, Alexey A. Kovalev

Institutions: University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University at Buffalo, State University of New York

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: green

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences