Tunable multistate field-free switching and ratchet effect by spin-orbit torque in canted ferrimagnetic alloy.

Hsu, Cheng-Hsiang; Gross, Miela J; Kleidermacher, Hannah Calzi; Sayed, Shehrin; Salahuddin, Sayeef · Nat Commun · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Spin-orbit torque is not only a useful probe to study manipulation of magnetic textures and magnetic states at the nanoscale but also it carries great potential for next-generation computing applications. Here we report the observation of rich spin-orbit torque switching phenomena such as field-free switching, multistate switching, memristor behavior and ratchet effect in a single shot, co-sputtered, rare earth-transition metal Gd<sub>x</sub>Co<sub>100-x</sub>. Notably such effects have only been observed in antiferromagnet/ferromagnet bi-layer systems previously. We show that these effects can be traced to a large anistropic canting, that can be engineered into the Gd<sub>x</sub>Co<sub>100-x</sub> system. Further, we show that the magnitude of these switching phenomena can be tuned by the canting angle and the in-plane external field. The complex spin-orbit torque switching observed in canted Gd<sub>x</sub>Co<sub>100-x</sub> not only provides a platform for spintronics but also serves as a model system to study the underlying physics of complex magnetic textures and interactions.