Spin-orbit torque opposing the Oersted torque in ultrathin Co/Pt bilayers

Skinner, T.D.; Wang, M.; Hindmarch, A.T.; Rushforth, A.W.; Irvine, A.C.; Heiss, D.; Kurebayashi, H.; Ferguson, A.J.

Abstract

Current-induced torques in ultrathin Co/Pt bilayers were investigated using an electrically driven ferromagnetic resonance technique. The angle dependence of the resonances, detected by a rectification effect as a voltage, was analysed to determine the symmetries and relative magnitudes of the spin-orbit torques. Both anti-damping (Slonczewski) and field-like torques were observed. As the ferromagnet thickness was reduced from 3 to 1 nm, the sign of the sum of the field-like torque and Oersted torque reversed. This observation is consistent with the emergence of a Rashba spin orbit torque in ultra-thin bilayers.

Citation

Skinner, T., Wang, M., Hindmarch, A., Rushforth, A., Irvine, A., Heiss, D., …Ferguson, A. (2014). Spin-orbit torque opposing the Oersted torque in ultrathin Co/Pt bilayers. Applied Physics Letters, 104(6), Article 062401. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4864399

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 24, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Feb 10, 2014
• Publication Date: Feb 10, 2014
• Deposit Date: Mar 21, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 4, 2014
• Journal: Applied Physics Letters
• Print ISSN: 0003-6951
• Electronic ISSN: 1077-3118
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 104
• Issue: 6
• Article Number: 062401
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4864399
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1435642