Electric-field control of field-free spin-orbit torque switching via laterally modulated Rashba effect in Pt/Co/AlOx structures

Min-Gu Kang, Jong-Guk Choi, Jimin Jeong, Jae Yeol Park, Hyeon-Jong Park, Taehwan Kim, Taekhyeon Lee, Kab-Jin Kim, Kyoung-Whan Kim, Jung Hyun Oh, Duc Duong Viet, Jong-Ryul Jeong, Jong Min Yuk, Jongsun Park, Kyung-Jin Lee and Byong-Guk Park ()
Additional contact information
Min-Gu Kang: KAIST
Jong-Guk Choi: KAIST
Jimin Jeong: KAIST
Jae Yeol Park: KAIST
Hyeon-Jong Park: Korea University
Taehwan Kim: Korea University
Taekhyeon Lee: KAIST
Kab-Jin Kim: KAIST
Kyoung-Whan Kim: Center for Spintronics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology
Jung Hyun Oh: Korea University
Duc Duong Viet: Chungnam National University
Jong-Ryul Jeong: Chungnam National University
Jong Min Yuk: KAIST
Jongsun Park: Korea University
Kyung-Jin Lee: KAIST
Byong-Guk Park: KAIST

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Spin-orbit coupling effect in structures with broken inversion symmetry, known as the Rashba effect, facilitates spin-orbit torques (SOTs) in heavy metal/ferromagnet/oxide structures, along with the spin Hall effect. Electric-field control of the Rashba effect is established for semiconductor interfaces, but it is challenging in structures involving metals owing to the screening effect. Here, we report that the Rashba effect in Pt/Co/AlOx structures is laterally modulated by electric voltages, generating out-of-plane SOTs. This enables field-free switching of the perpendicular magnetization and electrical control of the switching polarity. Changing the gate oxide reverses the sign of out-of-plane SOT while maintaining the same sign of voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy, which confirms the Rashba effect at the Co/oxide interface is a key ingredient of the electric-field modulation. The electrical control of SOT switching polarity in a reversible and non-volatile manner can be utilized for programmable logic operations in spintronic logic-in-memory devices.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27459-2

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