Large voltage-induced modification of spin-orbit torques in Pt/Co/GdOx

Abstract

We report on large modifications of current-induced spin-orbit torques in a gated Pt/Co/Gd-oxide microstrip due to voltage-driven O${}^{2-}$ migration. The Slonczewski-like and field-like torques are quantified using a low-frequency harmonic technique based on the polar magneto-optical Kerr effect. Voltage-induced oxidation of Co enhances the Slonczewski-like torque by as much as an order of magnitude, and simultaneously reduces the anisotropy energy barrier by a factor of ~5. Such magneto-ionic tuning of interfacial spin-orbit effects may significantly enhance the efficiency of magnetization switching and provide additional degrees of freedom in spintronic devices.

References in corpus (4)

• Spin Transfer Torques
• Matching domain wall configuration and spin-orbit torques for very efficient domain-wall motion
• Current-induced motion of a transverse magnetic domain wall in the presence of spin Hall effect
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Cited by in corpus (8)

• Recent progress in voltage control of magnetism: Materials, mechanisms, and performance
• Electrical control of magnetism by electric field and current-induced torques
• Effects of Oxidation of Top and Bottom Interfaces on the Electric, Magnetic, and Spin-Orbit Torque Properties of Pt/Co/AlOx Trilayers
• Emerging spintronics phenomena and applications
• Role of interfacial oxidation in generation of spin-orbit torques
• Voltage Controlled Spin-Orbit Torque Switching in W/CoFeB/MgO
• Enhanced Magneto-optical Kerr Effect at Fe/Insulator Interfaces
• Magnetoelectric torque and edge currents caused by spin-orbit coupling