Magnon versus electron mediated spin-transfer torque exerted by spin currents across antiferromagnetic insulator to switch magnetization of adjacent ferromagnetic metal

Abstract

The recent experiment [Y. Wang et al., Science 366, 1125 (2019)] on magnon-mediated spin-transfer torque (MSTT) was interpreted in terms of a picture where magnons are excited within an antiferromagnetic insulator (AFI), by applying nonequilibrium electronic spin density at one of its surfaces, so that their propagation across AFI deprived of conduction electrons eventually leads to reversal of magnetization of a ferromagnetic metal (FM) attached to the opposite surface of AFI. We employ a recently developed time-dependent nonequilibrium Green functions combined with the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation (TDNEGF+LLG) formalism to evolve conduction electrons quantum-mechanically while they interact via self-consistent back-action with localized magnetic moments described classically by atomistic spin dynamics solving a system of LLG equations. Upon injection of square current pulse as the initial condition, TDNEGF+LLG simulations of FM-polarizer/AFI/FM-analyzer junctions show that reversal of localized magnetic moments within FM-analyzer is less efficient, in the sense of requiring larger pulse height and its longer duration, than conventional electron-mediated STT (ESTT) driving magnetization switching in standard FM-polarizer/normal-metal/FM-analyzer spin valve. Since both electronic, generated by spin pumping from AFI, and magnonic, generated by direct transmission from AFI, spin currents are injected into the FM-analyzer, its localized magnetic moments will experience combined MSTT and ESTT. Nevertheless, by artificially turning off ESTT we demonstrate that MSTT plays a dominant role whose understanding, therefore, paves the way for all-magnon-driven magnetization switching devices with no electronic parts.

arXiv comment12 pages, 7 figures, 3 embedded videos

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• Spintronics meets density matrix renormalization group: Quantum spin torque driven nonclassical magnetization reversal and dynamical buildup of long-range entanglement
• Giant spin Nernst effect in a two-dimensional antiferromagnet due to magnetoelastic coupling-induced gaps and interband transitions between magnon-like bands
• Quantum many-body states and Green functions of nonequilibrium electron-magnon systems: Localized spin operators vs. their mapping to Holstein-Primakoff bosons
• Annihilation of topological solitons in magnetism with spin wave burst finale: The role of nonequilibrium electrons causing nonlocal damping and spin pumping over ultrabroadband frequency range
• Quantum spin torque driven transmutation of antiferromagnetic Mott insulator
• Fate of entanglement in magnetism under Lindbladian or non-Markovian dynamics and conditions for their transition to Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert classical dynamics
• Magnon-assisted magnetization reversal of Ni81Fe19 nanostripes on Y3Fe5O12 with different interfaces
• Optically induced magnetic inertia and magnons from non-Markovian extension of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation