Spin–orbit torque magnetization switching controlled by geometry

Abstract

Magnetization reversal by an electric current^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} is essential for future magnetic data storage technology¹, such as magnetic random access memories⁴. Typically, an electric current is injected into a pillar-shaped magnetic element, and switching relies on the transfer of spin momentum^1,2,3,4 from a ferromagnetic reference layer (an approach known as spin–transfer torque). Recently, an alternative technique has emerged that uses spin–orbit torque (SOT) and allows the magnetization to be reversed without a polarizing layer by transferring angular momentum directly from the crystal lattice^5,6,7,8,9. With spin–orbit torque, the current is no longer applied perpendicularly, but is in the plane of the magnetic thin film. Therefore, the current flow is no longer restricted to a single direction and can have any orientation within the film plane. Here, we use Kerr microscopy to examine spin–orbit torque-driven domain wall motion in Co/AlO_x wires with different shapes and orientations on top of a current-carrying Pt layer. The displacement of the domain walls is found to be highly dependent on the angle between the direction of the current and domain wall motion, and asymmetric and nonlinear with respect to the current polarity. Using these insights, devices are fabricated in which magnetization switching is determined entirely by the geometry of the device.