Origin of fieldlike spin-orbit torques in heavy metal/ferromagnet/oxide thin film heterostructures
Journal
Physical Review B
Journal Volume
94
Journal Issue
14
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
We report measurements of the thickness and temperature (T) dependencies of current-induced spin-orbit torques, especially the fieldlike (FL) component, in various heavy metal (HM)/normal metal (NM) spacer/ferromagnet (FM)/oxide (MgO and HfOx/MgO) heterostructures. The FL torque in these samples originates from spin current generated by the spin Hall effect in the HM. For a FM layer sufficiently thin that a substantial portion of this spin current can reach the FM/oxide interface, T-dependent spin scattering there can yield a strong FL torque that is, in some cases, opposite in sign to that exerted at the NM/FM interface.
Type
journal article