Field-Free Spin–Orbit Torque Switching of Canted van der Waals Magnets

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Spin–orbit torque (SOT) magnetization switching is crucial for next-generation energy-efficient spintronic technologies. The recent discovery of van der Waals (vdW) magnets holds promise for such SOT phenomena because of their tunable magnetic properties. However, a demonstration of energy-efficient and field-free SOT switching of vdW magnets is required for their potential applications. Here, we demonstrate field-free and deterministic switching using an intrinsic canted vdW magnet Fe 5 GeTe 2 in a heterostructure with Pt having a larger spin Hall conductivity up to room temperature. Using anomalous Hall electrical detection for magnetization readout, we reveal that field-free deterministic SOT switching in the Fe 5 GeTe 2 /Pt Hall devices can be attributed to the canted magnetic anisotropy of Fe 5 GeTe 2, originating from its crystal and magnetic structures. Detailed second harmonic Hall measurements exhibit a high spin Hall conductivity σ SH ∼ 3 × 10 5 ℏ/2 e Ω –1 m –1 with an SOT effective damping-like field of 0.06 mT per MA/cm 2 . These findings reveal efficient and field-free SOT phenomena in the canted vdW magnet Fe 5 GeTe 2 up to room temperature and highlight their usefulness in spintronic devices.