Recent advances in spin-orbit torques: Moving towards device applications

TL;DR

This review summarizes recent progress in spin-orbit torque research, emphasizing material developments, magnetization switching dynamics, and the pursuit of field-free switching for practical spintronic memory devices.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements and technical challenges in spin-orbit torque, highlighting new materials and switching mechanisms for device applications.

Findings

Advances in material choices for spin-orbit torque devices

Progress in understanding magnetization switching dynamics

Development of field-free spin-orbit torque switching techniques

Abstract

The ability of spintronic devices to utilize an electric current for manipulating the magnetization has resulted in large-scale developments, such as, magnetic random access memories and boosted the spintronic research area. In this regard, over the last decade, magnetization manipulation using spin-orbit torque has been devoted a lot of research attention as it shows a great promise for future ultrafast and power efficient magnetic memories. In this review, we summarize the latest advancements in spin-orbit torque research and highlight some of the technical challenges for practical spin-orbit torque devices. We will first introduce the basic concepts and highlight the latest material choices for spin-orbit torque devices. Then, we will summarize the important advancements in the study of magnetization switching dynamics using spin-orbit torque, which are important from scientific as well as technological aspect. The final major section focuses on the concept of external assist field free spin-orbit torque switching which is a requirement for practical spin-orbit torque devices.