journal article·2023-04-01Open access

Magnetization switching of a nearly compensated ferrimagnet by enhanced spin-orbit torque

Xu Zhang, Xiaolu Wang, Qisheng Jiang, Wenqing He, Yongqiang Yang, Qianxun Gong, Tengyu Guo, Peng Chen, Jing Zhang, Guoqiang Yu, Xiufeng Han, Kang L. Wang, Yue Wang, Baoshan Cui, Hao Wu

AIP Advances· Volume 13· Issue 4

Abstract

Spin–orbit torques (SOTs) provide an efficient way to electrically manipulate the magnetic order in spintronic devices. Compared with conventional ferromagnetic materials, ferrimagnetic materials have the advantages of antiferromagnetically coupled sublattices and induced ultrafast spin dynamics. In this paper, we study the current-induced magnetization switching in the ferrimagnetic Ta/GdFeCo/MgO system. Robust SOT-induced magnetization switching can be achieved at the magnetic compensation temperature point of around 70 K, where the magnetization is nearly zero and the coercivity can reach almost 3 T. The temperature dependence of the SOT efficiency is quantified by the second harmonic method, and the enhanced SOT efficiency near the magnetic compensation temperature is attributed to the negative exchange coupling between the two sublattices of CoFe and Gd. This work demonstrates the SOT switching of the nearly compensated ferrimagnet, with great potential for future magnetic interaction-free and ultrafast ferrimagnetic applications.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Magnetic properties of thin films · Magnetic and transport properties of perovskites and related materials · Multiferroics and related materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory 1 , Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China

Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences 2 , Beijing 100190, China

School of Physical Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University 3 , Hohhot 010021, China

College of Physics, Sichuan University 4 , Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California 5 , Los Angeles, California 90095, USA

Key Laboratory for Magnetism and Magnetic Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Physical Science and Technology, Lanzhou University 6 , Lanzhou 730000, China

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Start-up Funding From Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory · Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation

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