Spin-orbit torques associated with ferrimagnetic order in Pt/GdFeCo/MgO layers

Jong Hyuk Kim, Dong Joon Lee, Kyung Jin Lee, Byeong Kwon Ju, Hyun Cheol Koo, Byoung Chul Min, Ouk Jae Lee

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    35 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We investigate spin orbit torque (SOT) efficiencies and magnetic properties of Pt/GdFeCo/MgO multilayers by varying the thicknesses of GdFeCo and MgO layers. Our studies indicate that the ferrimagnetism in the GdFeCo alloy is considerably influenced by both thicknesses due to the diffusion of Gd atoms toward the MgO layer. Comparing to conventional Pt/ferromagnet/MgO structures, the Pt/GdFeCo/MgO exhibits a lower efficiency of SOTs associated with ferrimagnetic order and a similar magnitude of magnetic damping. The previous models that have been developed for rigid ferromagnets are inappropriate to analyze our experimental data, leading to an unphysical consequence of spin transmission larger than unity. Our results imply that the heavy-metal/ferrimagnet system is quite different from heavy-metal/ferromagnet systems in terms of magnetic dynamical modes, spin angular momentum transfer, and relaxation processes.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number6017
    JournalScientific reports
    Volume8
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2018 Dec 1

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2018, The Author(s).

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General

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