Néel Spin Orbit Torque driven antiferromagnetic resonance in Mn${}_2$Au probed by time-domain THz spectroscopy

Abstract

We observe the excitation of collective modes in the THz range driven by the recently discovered Néel spin-orbit torques (NSOT) in the metallic antiferromagnet Mn${}_2$Au. Temperature dependent THz spectroscopy reveals a strong absorption mode centered near 1 THz, which upon heating from 4 K to 450 K softens and looses intensity. Comparison with the estimated eigenmode frequencies implies that the observed mode is an in-plane antiferromagnetic resonance (AFMR) mode. The AFMR absorption strength exceeds those found in antiferromagnetic insulators, driven by the magnetic field of the THz radiation, by three orders of magnitude. Based on this and the agreement with our theory modelling, we infer that the driving mechanism for the observed mode is the current induced NSOT. This electric manipulation of the Neél order parameter at high frequencies makes Mn${}_2$Au a prime candidate for AFM ultrafast memory applications.

5 pages, 4 figures