Current-induced magnetization switching in CoTb amorphous single layer

Abstract

We demonstrate spin-orbit torque (SOT) switching of amorphous CoTb single layer films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). The switching sustains even the film thickness is above 10 nm, where the critical switching current density keeps almost constant. Without the need of overcoming the strong interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction caused by the heavy metal, a quite low assistant field of ~20 Oe is sufficient to realize the fully switching. The SOT effective field decreases and undergoes a sign change with the decrease of the Tb-concentration, implying that a combination of the spin Hall effect from both Co and Tb as well as an asymmetric spin current absorption accounts for the SOT switching mechanism. Our findings would advance the use of magnetic materials with bulk PMA for energy-efficient and thermal-stable non-volatile memories, and add a different dimension for understanding the ordering and asymmetry in amorphous thin films.

17 pages, 4 figures, Phys. Rev. B 101, 214418 (2020)

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• Giant bulk spin-orbit torque and efficient electrical switching in single ferrimagnetic FeTb layers with strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy
• Unveiling the mechanism of bulk spin-orbit torques within chemically disordered Fe${}_x$Pt${}_{1-x}$ single layers
• Large anomalous unidirectional magnetoresistance in a single ferromagnetic layer
• Single-layer spin-orbit-torque magnetization switching due to spin Berry curvature generated by minute spontaneous atomic displacement in a Weyl oxide
• Vertically Graded Fe-Ni Alloys with Low Damping and a Sizeable Spin-Orbit Torque
• Cluster magnetic octupole induced out-of-plane spin polarization in antiperovskite antiferromagnet