Large Spin-Orbit Torque in 𝑎-Plane 𝛼−Fe2⁢O3/Pt Bilayers

Lyalin, Igor; Zhang, Hantao; Michel, Justin; Russell, Daniel; Yang, Fengyuan; Cheng, Ran; Kawakami, Roland K.

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.066701

Large Spin-Orbit Torque in 𝑎-Plane 𝛼−Fe₂⁢O₃/Pt Bilayers

Journal Article · Wed Feb 12 00:00:00 EST 2025 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.066701· OSTI ID:2932565

Lyalin, Igor ^[1]; ^[2]; Michel, Justin ^[1]; Russell, Daniel ^[1]; Yang, Fengyuan ^[1]; ^[2]; ^[1]

The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (United States)
University of California, Riverside, CA (United States)

Realization of efficient spin-orbit torque switching of the Neel vector in insulating antiferromagnets is a challenge, often complicated by spurious effects. Quantifying the spin-orbit torques in antiferromagnet or heavy metal heterostructures is an important first step toward this goal. Here, we employ magneto-optic techniques to study damping-like spin-orbit torque (DL-SOT) in a-plane α-Fe₂O₃ (hematite) with a Pt spin-orbit overlayer. We find that the DL-SOT efficiency is 2 orders of magnitude larger than reported in c- and r-plane hematite/Pt using harmonic Hall techniques. The large magnitude of DL-SOT is supported by direct imaging of current-induced motion of antiferromagnetic domains that happens at moderate current densities. Furthermore, our study introduces a new method for quantifying spin-orbit torque in antiferromagnets with a small canted moment and identifies a-plane α-Fe₂O₃ as a promising candidate to realize efficient SOT switching.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (United States); University of California, Riverside, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR); National Science Foundation (NSF), Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0001304

OSTI ID:: 2932565

Journal Information:: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 134; ISSN 1079-7114; ISSN 0031-9007

Publisher:: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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