Symmetry Breaking by Materials Engineering for Spin-Orbit-Torque Technology

Electric manipulation of magnetization is essential for the integration of magnetic functionalities in integrated circuits. Spin-orbit torque (SOT), originating from the coupling of electron spin and orbital motion through spin-orbital interaction, can effectively manipulate magnetization. Symmetry breaking plays an important role in spintronics based on SOT. SOT requires inversion asymmetry in order to have a net effect on magnetic materials, which is commonly realized by spatial asymmetry: a thin magnetic layer sandwiched between two dissimilar layers. This kind of structure restricts the SOT by mirror and rotational symmetries to have a particular form: an “antidamping-like” component oriented in the film plane even upon reversal of the magnetization direction. Consequently, magnetization perpendicular to the film plane cannot be deterministically switched with pure electric current. To achieve all-electric switching of perpendicular magnetization, it is necessary to break the mirror and rotational symmetries of the sandwiched structure.

In this lecture, I will begin with a basic introduction of the physical origin of SOT, followed by the related symmetry analysis of a magnetic thin film in a sandwiched structure for the generation of a net SOT effect. Then, I will introduce a new method—a composition gradient along the thin-film normal for breaking the inversion symmetry—to generate bulk-like SOT [1], which enables a thicker magnetic layer with high magnetic anisotropy. An overview of the methods commonly used to break mirror and rotational symmetries to realize all-electric switching of perpendicular magnetization will follow. I will give a detailed discussion on our methods for the realization of all-electric switching of perpendicular magnetization: the use of a spin source layer with low magnetic symmetry and low crystal symmetry, which generates an out-of-plane SOT [2]–[4]; interfacial 3m1 symmetry, which induces a new “3m” spin torque [5]; precise control of the tilting of magnetocrystalline anisotropy easy axis [6]; and a spin-current gradient along the current direction [7].

[1] L. Liu et al., “Electrical switching of perpendicular magnetization in a single ferromagnetic layer,” Phys. Rev. B, vol. 101, 220402, June 2020.
[2] J. Zhou et al., “Magnetic asymmetry induced anomalous spin-orbit torque in IrMn,” Phys. Rev. B, vol. 101, 184403, May 2020.
[3] J. Zhou et al., “Large spin-orbit torque efficiency enhanced by magnetic structure of collinear antiferromagnet IrMn,” Sci. Adv., vol. 5, eaau6696, May 2019.
[4] Q. Xie et al., “Field-free magnetization switching induced by the unconventional spin–orbit torque from WTe2,” APL Mater., vol. 9, 051114, May 2021.
[5] L. Liu et al., “Symmetry-dependent field-free switching of perpendicular magnetization,” Nat. Nanotech., vol. 16, pp. 277-282, January 2021.
[6] L. Liu et al., “Current-induced magnetization switching in all-oxide heterostructures,” Nat. Nanotech., vol. 14, 939-944, September 2019.
[7] S. Chen et al., “Free field electric switching of perpendicularly magnetized thin film by spin current gradient,” ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, vol. 11, pp. 30446-30452, July 2019.