On the origin of field-like spin-orbit torques in heavy metal-ferromagnet-oxide thin film heterostructures

TL;DR

This study investigates the origin of field-like spin-orbit torques in heavy metal-ferromagnet-oxide heterostructures, revealing how temperature-dependent spin scattering influences torque sign and magnitude, with implications for spintronic device design.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the temperature and thickness dependence of field-like spin-orbit torques, highlighting the role of spin scattering at interfaces in heterostructures.

Findings

FL torque originates from spin Hall effect in heavy metal

Temperature-dependent spin scattering affects torque sign

Thin ferromagnetic layers allow spin current to reach interfaces

Abstract

We report measurements of the thickness and temperature (T) dependencies of current-induced spin-orbit torques, especially the field-like (FL) component, in various heavy metal (HM)/normal metal (NM) spacer/ferromagnet (FM)/Oxide (MgO and HfOx/MgO) heterostructures. The FL torque in these samples originates from spin current generated by the spin Hall effect (SHE) in the HM. For a FM layer sufficiently thin that a substantial portion of this spin current can reach the FM/Oxide interface, T-dependent spin scattering there can yield a strong FL torque that is, in some cases, opposite in sign to that exerted at the NM/FM interface.