Spin-orbit torque from spin-flipping scattering at ferromagnetic metal/topological insulator interface

Abstract Recent experiments report large damping-like spin-orbit torque in a magnetic bilayer that consists of a topological insulator (TI) layer and a ferromagnetic metal (FM) layer. Here we examine the bilayer theoretically with particular attention to roles of conduction electrons in FM on the spin-orbit torque in this structure. We use electron scattering approach to address electron spin accumulation at the interface between TI/FM caused by the conduction electrons. While topological surface states are not well defined in this bilayer, we find that large damping-like spin-orbit torque can still arise through spin-flipping scattering of the conduction electrons at the TI-FM interface. The resulting damping-like spin-orbit torque is comparable in magnitude to that of the field-like spin-orbit torque. The ratio between the components of the spin-orbit torque relies on various details of the system. The result is compared with recent experimental results and other theoretical works.