The analysis of spin current source in current-induced switching of the magnetization in T-type magnetic structures

S Shiqiang Liu (Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Centre for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Centre for Carbon Neutral Chemistry) C Caihua Wan J Jihao Xia (Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences 4 , Beijing 100190,) R Ran Zhang J Jiahui Li X Xiaohan Li F Fangshuo Gao (Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100190,) Y Yingqian Xu A Aleksandr V. Davydenko (Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University 3 , Vladivostok 690922,) M Maksim E. Stebliy (Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University 3 , Vladivostok 690922,) A Alexey V. Ognev (Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University 3 , Vladivostok 690922,) A Alexander S. Samardak (Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University 3 , Vladivostok 690922,) G Guoqiang Yu X Xiufeng Han

Abstract

The schemes for addressing the obstacle of field-free switching driven by spin–orbit torque (SOT) have aroused the interest of spintronic community, for their rich physical phenomena. Here, we utilized the in-plane CoFeB(→)/W/perpendicular CoFeB(↑) design, a magnetic structure of the so-named T-type, to achieve field-free switching in a series of samples with different thicknesses. Through the second-harmonic measurement and the loop-shift method, we get a high effective spin Hall angle ∼0.149 in a 1 nm thin W spacer, indicating that the ultrathin W heavy metal still has sufficient application potential, which can function as both a coupling spacer and a spin source layer. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ferromagnetic materials can also serve as a prominent spin source that facilitates SOT-driven magnetization switching, employing the spin anomalous Hall effect. This investigation contributes valuable insights for the design and integration of spintronic devices in the advancement of sophisticated microelectronics.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 127, Issue 6
Published August 11, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (14)

S

Shiqiang Liu

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Centre for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Centre for Carbon Neutral Chemistry

C

Caihua Wan

J

Jihao Xia

Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences 4 , Beijing 100190,

R

Ran Zhang

J

Jiahui Li

X

Xiaohan Li

F

Fangshuo Gao

Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100190,

Y

Yingqian Xu

A

Aleksandr V. Davydenko

Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University 3 , Vladivostok 690922,

M

Maksim E. Stebliy

Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University 3 , Vladivostok 690922,

A

Alexey V. Ognev

Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University 3 , Vladivostok 690922,

A

Alexander S. Samardak

Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University 3 , Vladivostok 690922,

G

Guoqiang Yu

X

Xiufeng Han