Third Harmonic Characterization of Antiferromagnetic Heterostructures

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the first harmonic measurement technique in antiferromagnetic heterostructures, revealing unique third harmonic signals associated with current-induced effects, and offers a new method to study magnetization dynamics in antiferromagnets.

Contribution

It introduces the first harmonic measurement verification in antiferromagnetic heterostructures and models higher-order harmonic voltages to understand current-induced effects.

Findings

Third harmonic signals reveal damping-like torque and thermally-induced effects.

Harmonic measurement technique is validated for antiferromagnetic heterostructures.

Provides a new approach to probe magnetization dynamics in antiferromagnets.

Abstract

Electrical switching of antiferromagnets is an exciting recent development in spintronics, which promises active antiferromagnetic devices with high speed and low energy cost. In this emerging field, there is an active debate about the mechanisms of current-driven switching of antiferromagnets. Harmonic characterization is a powerful tool to quantify current-induced spin-orbit torques and spin Seebeck effect in heavy-metal/ferromagnet systems. However, the harmonic measurement technique has never been verified in antiferromagnetic heterostructures. Here, we report for the first time harmonic measurements in Pt/$\alpha$-Fe$_2$O$_3$ bilayers, which are explained by our modeling of higher-order harmonic voltages. As compared with ferromagnetic heterostructures where all current-induced effects appear in the second harmonic signals, the damping-like torque and thermally-induced magnetoelastic effect contributions in Pt/$\alpha$-Fe$_2$O$_3$ emerge in the third harmonic voltage. Our results provide a new path to probe the current-induced magnetization dynamics in antiferromagnets, promoting the application of antiferromagnetic spintronic devices.