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Magneto-optical investigation of spin–orbit torques in metallic and insulating magnetic heterostructures

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammad Montazeri

    (Device Research Laboratory, University of California)

  • Pramey Upadhyaya

    (Device Research Laboratory, University of California)

  • Mehmet C. Onbasli

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Guoqiang Yu

    (Device Research Laboratory, University of California)

  • Kin L. Wong

    (Device Research Laboratory, University of California)

  • Murong Lang

    (Device Research Laboratory, University of California)

  • Yabin Fan

    (Device Research Laboratory, University of California)

  • Xiang Li

    (Device Research Laboratory, University of California)

  • Pedram Khalili Amiri

    (Device Research Laboratory, University of California)

  • Robert N. Schwartz

    (Device Research Laboratory, University of California)

  • Caroline A. Ross

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Kang L. Wang

    (Device Research Laboratory, University of California)

Abstract

Manipulating magnetism by electric current is of great interest for both fundamental and technological reasons. Much effort has been dedicated to spin–orbit torques (SOTs) in metallic structures, while quantitative investigation of analogous phenomena in magnetic insulators remains challenging due to their low electrical conductivity. Here we address this challenge by exploiting the interaction of light with magnetic order, to directly measure SOTs in both metallic and insulating structures. The equivalency of optical and transport measurements is established by investigating a heavy-metal/ferromagnetic-metal device (Ta/CoFeB/MgO). Subsequently, SOTs are measured optically in the contrasting case of a magnetic-insulator/heavy-metal (YIG/Pt) heterostructure, where analogous transport measurements are not viable. We observe a large anti-damping torque in the YIG/Pt system, revealing its promise for spintronic device applications. Moreover, our results demonstrate that SOT physics is directly accessible by optical means in a range of materials, where transport measurements may not be possible.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad Montazeri & Pramey Upadhyaya & Mehmet C. Onbasli & Guoqiang Yu & Kin L. Wong & Murong Lang & Yabin Fan & Xiang Li & Pedram Khalili Amiri & Robert N. Schwartz & Caroline A. Ross & Kang L. Wang, 2015. "Magneto-optical investigation of spin–orbit torques in metallic and insulating magnetic heterostructures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9958
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9958
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