Strain effect on the perpendicular magnetization switching driven by spin–orbit torque

Y Yuzhe Chen Z Zhuoyi Li Z Zhe Zhang S Sicong Hu (National Key Laboratory of Spintronics, Nanjing University 1 , Suzhou 215163,) Z Zhihao Li J Junwei Hou L Lei Wang Y Yu Yan Y Yao Li L Liang He (School of Mechanical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering) J Jun Du (State Key Laboratory of Chemical Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics) R Rong Zhang (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China) J Jing Wu X Xianyang Lu H Hang Xie Y Yongbing Xu (National Key Laboratory of Spintronics, Nanjing University)

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the influence of strain on spin–orbit torque and current-induced magnetization switching in Ta/Pt/Co/Ta heterostructures deposited on flexible polyimide substrates. By applying strain ranging from −12.5‰ (compressive) to 12.5‰ (tensile), we observe that increasing the strain amplitude reduces coercivity and enhances spin–orbit torque efficiency, collectively leading to a 28.6% reduction in switching current density. The lowest achieved switching current density is 3.07 MA/cm2. Our findings demonstrate strain-mediated tuning of spin–orbit torque and underscore the potential of such heterostructures for flexible spintronic applications.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 127, Issue 17
Published October 23, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (16)

Y

Yuzhe Chen

Z

Zhuoyi Li

Z

Zhe Zhang

S

Sicong Hu

National Key Laboratory of Spintronics, Nanjing University 1 , Suzhou 215163,

Z

Zhihao Li

J

Junwei Hou

L

Lei Wang

Y

Yu Yan

Y

Yao Li

L

Liang He

School of Mechanical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering

J

Jun Du

State Key Laboratory of Chemical Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics

R

Rong Zhang

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China

J

Jing Wu

X

Xianyang Lu

H

Hang Xie

Y

Yongbing Xu

National Key Laboratory of Spintronics, Nanjing University