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SPINTRONICS

Magnetization switching through symmetry

Nature Nanotechnology volume 16, pages 227–228 (2021)Cite this article

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In a simple bilayer structure, spin torque induced by a reduced crystal symmetry switches perpendicular magnetization reliably at zero magnetic field.

Spintronics exploits spin transport for solid-state electronics and promises beneficial device characteristics such as non-volatility, multifunctionality and reduced power consumption1. Spin–orbit torque (SOT), a current-induced spin torque arising from the spin–orbit interaction, allows for fast and energy-efficient manipulation of the magnetization direction2,3,4. However, SOT in laterally isotropic structures is confined within the film plane, so it cannot switch perpendicular magnetization. Yet, the out-of-plane orientation of magnetization is essential in recently developed spintronic devices such as high-density magnetic random access memory (MRAM)4,5. Deterministic SOT switching of perpendicular magnetization requires the implementation of an external (or effective) magnetic field or structural modification2,6,7,8, which is detrimental to practical applications. Writing in Nature Nanotechnology, Liang Liu and colleagues now demonstrate out-of-plane SOT and the resulting field-free switching of perpendicular magnetization in a simple non-magnet (NM)/ferromagnet (FM) structure by introducing L11-ordered CuPt as a spin current source material, where an out-of-plane spin current originates from reduced crystal symmetry9.

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Fig. 1: Field-free spin-orbit torque switching by lateral symmetry breaking.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea

    Soogil Lee, Jeongchun Ryu & Byong-Guk Park

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  1. Soogil Lee
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  2. Jeongchun Ryu
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  3. Byong-Guk Park
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Correspondence to Byong-Guk Park.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Lee, S., Ryu, J. & Park, BG. Magnetization switching through symmetry. Nat. Nanotechnol. 16, 227–228 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-021-00850-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-021-00850-2

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