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Title: Absence of Evidence of Electrical Switching of the Antiferromagnetic Néel Vector

Abstract

Much theoretical and experimental concern has been focused on the electrical switching of the antiferromagnetic (AFM) Néel vector via spin-orbit torque. Measurements employing multiterminal patterned structures of Pt=AFM show recurring signals of the supposedly planar Hall effect and magnetoresistance, implying AFM switching. We show in this Letter that similar signals have been observed in structures with and without the AFM layer, and of an even larger magnitude using different metals and substrates. These may not be the conclusive evidence of spin-orbit torque switching of AFM, but the thermal artifacts of patterned metal structure on substrate. Furthermore, large current densities in the metallic devices, beyond the Ohmic regime, can generate unintended anisotropic thermal gradients and voltages. AFM switching requires unequivocal detection of the AFM N´eel vector before and after SOT switching.

Authors:
 [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3];  [2]; ORCiD logo [4]
  1. Academia Sinica, Taipei (Taiwan)
  2. National Taiwan Univ., Taipei (Taiwan)
  3. Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States)
  4. Academia Sinica, Taipei (Taiwan); National Taiwan Univ., Taipei (Taiwan); Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States); Univ. of California, Riverside, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan
Contributing Org.:
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
OSTI Identifier:
1597411
Grant/Contract Number:  
SC0009390; SC0012670; OSR2017-CRG6-3427.01
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Physical Review Letters
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 123; Journal Issue: 22; Journal ID: ISSN 0031-9007
Publisher:
American Physical Society (APS)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY

Citation Formats

Chiang, C. C., Huang, S. Y., Qu, D., Wu, P. H., and Chien, C. L. Absence of Evidence of Electrical Switching of the Antiferromagnetic Néel Vector. United States: N. p., 2019. Web. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.227203.
Chiang, C. C., Huang, S. Y., Qu, D., Wu, P. H., & Chien, C. L. Absence of Evidence of Electrical Switching of the Antiferromagnetic Néel Vector. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.227203
Chiang, C. C., Huang, S. Y., Qu, D., Wu, P. H., and Chien, C. L. Wed . "Absence of Evidence of Electrical Switching of the Antiferromagnetic Néel Vector". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.227203. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1597411.
@article{osti_1597411,
title = {Absence of Evidence of Electrical Switching of the Antiferromagnetic Néel Vector},
author = {Chiang, C. C. and Huang, S. Y. and Qu, D. and Wu, P. H. and Chien, C. L.},
abstractNote = {Much theoretical and experimental concern has been focused on the electrical switching of the antiferromagnetic (AFM) Néel vector via spin-orbit torque. Measurements employing multiterminal patterned structures of Pt=AFM show recurring signals of the supposedly planar Hall effect and magnetoresistance, implying AFM switching. We show in this Letter that similar signals have been observed in structures with and without the AFM layer, and of an even larger magnitude using different metals and substrates. These may not be the conclusive evidence of spin-orbit torque switching of AFM, but the thermal artifacts of patterned metal structure on substrate. Furthermore, large current densities in the metallic devices, beyond the Ohmic regime, can generate unintended anisotropic thermal gradients and voltages. AFM switching requires unequivocal detection of the AFM N´eel vector before and after SOT switching.},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.227203},
journal = {Physical Review Letters},
number = 22,
volume = 123,
place = {United States},
year = {2019},
month = {11}
}

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Works referenced in this record:

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Works referencing / citing this record:

Electric‐Field‐Controlled Antiferromagnetic Spintronic Devices
journal, March 2020