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Field-free deterministic switching of all–van der Waals spin-orbit torque system above room temperature

Journal Article · · Science Advances
Two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) magnetic materials hold promise for the development of high-density, energy-efficient spintronic devices for memory and computation. Recent breakthroughs in material discoveries and spin-orbit torque control of vdW ferromagnets have opened a path for integration of vdW magnets in commercial spintronic devices. However, a solution for field-free electric control of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) vdW magnets at room temperatures, essential for building compact and thermally stable spintronic devices, is still missing. Here, we report a solution for the field-free, deterministic, and nonvolatile switching of a PMA vdW ferromagnet, Fe3GaTe2, above room temperature (up to 320 K). We use the unconventional out-of-plane anti-damping torque from an adjacent WTe2 layer to enable such switching with a low current density of 2.23 × 106 A cm–2. This study exemplifies the efficacy of low-symmetry vdW materials for spin-orbit torque control of vdW ferromagnets and provides an all-vdW solution for the next generation of scalable and energy-efficient spintronic devices.
Research Organization:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0020148
OSTI ID:
2471947
Journal Information:
Science Advances, Journal Name: Science Advances Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 10; ISSN 2375-2548
Publisher:
AAASCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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