Nanoscale imaging of magnetization reversal driven by spin-orbit torque

Gilbert, Ian; Chen, P. J.; Gopman, Daniel B.; Balk, Andrew L.; Pierce, Daniel T.; Stiles, Mark D.; Unguris, John

doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.94.094429

Nanoscale imaging of magnetization reversal driven by spin-orbit torque

Journal Article · Fri Sep 23 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Physical Review B

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.94.094429· OSTI ID:1352370

Gilbert, Ian ^[1]; Chen, P. J. ^[1]; Gopman, Daniel B. ^[1]; Balk, Andrew L. ^[2]; Pierce, Daniel T. ^[1]; Stiles, Mark D. ^[1]; Unguris, John ^[1]

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (United States)
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (United States); Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States); Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

We use scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis to image deterministic, spin-orbit torque-driven magnetization reversal of in-plane magnetized CoFeB rectangles in zero applied magnetic field. The spin-orbit torque is generated by running a current through heavy metal microstrips, either Pt or Ta, upon which the CoFeB rectangles are deposited. We image the CoFeB magnetization before and after a current pulse to see the effect of spin-orbit torque on the magnetic nanostructure. The observed changes in magnetic structure can be complex, deviating significantly from a simple macrospin approximation, especially in larger elements. Overall, however, the directions of the magnetization reversal in the Pt and Ta devices are opposite, consistent with the opposite signs of the spin Hall angles of these materials. Lastly, our results elucidate the effects of current density, geometry, and magnetic domain structure on magnetization switching driven by spin-orbit torque.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-06NA25396

OSTI ID:: 1352370

Report Number(s):: LA-UR--16-27440

Journal Information:: Physical Review B, Journal Name: Physical Review B Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 94; ISSN 2469-9950; ISSN PRBMDO

Publisher:: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Nanoscale imaging of magnetization reversal driven by spin-orbit torque

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