Work

Enhancement of spin-orbit torques in Ta/Co20Fe60B20/MgO structures induced by annealing

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Spin-orbit torques (SOTs) in Ta/CoFeB/MgO structures are studied by harmonic voltage method. The results indicate that both Slonczewski-like (HSL) and field-like (HFL) effective field are enhanced by annealing in the film stacks with various Ta thicknesses. Investigation of the crystallographic phase of the Ta layers and resistance of Hall bar devices suggest that annealing may induce a phase transformation in the Ta layers from the α to the β phase, which results in the enhanced HSL of the annealed samples. Current-induced magnetization switching experiments revealed a corresponding decrease of the switching current in the annealed samples because of their enhanced SOTs.

Source: AIP Advances

DOI: 10.1063/1.4993765

Authors: Yuqiang Zheng, Tao Wang, Xianpeng Su, Yifei Chen, Ying Wang, Hua Lv, Susana Cardoso, Dezheng Yang, Jiangwei Cao

Institutions: Lanzhou University, University of Lisbon, Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias, Instituto Superior Técnico

Language: English

Topic: Magnetic properties of thin films

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,350

OpenAlex ID: W2735674142

FWCI: 0.511

Cites: 46

Cited by: 7

Related to: 10