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arXiv · 1402.0986

Fieldlike and antidamping spin-orbit torques in as-grown and annealed Ta/CoFeB/MgO layers

Can Onur Avci·Kevin Garello·Corneliu Nistor·Sylvie Godey·Belen Ballesteros·Aitor Mugarza·Alessandro Barla·Manuel Valvidares·Eric Pellegrin·Abhijit Ghosh·Ioan Mihai Miron·Olivier Boulle·Stephane Auffret·Gilles Gaudin·Pietro Gambardella
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Abstract

We present a comprehensive study of the current-induced spin-orbit torques in perpendicularly magnetized Ta/CoFeB/MgO layers. The samples were annealed in steps up to 300 degrees C and characterized using x-ray absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, resistivity, and Hall effect measurements. By performing adiabatic harmonic Hall voltage measurements, we show that the transverse (field-like) and longitudinal (antidamping-like) spin-orbit torques are composed of constant and magnetization-dependent contributions, both of which vary strongly with annealing. Such variations correlate with changes of the saturation magnetization and magnetic anisotropy and are assigned to chemical and structural modifications of the layers. The relative variation of the constant and anisotropic torque terms as a function of annealing temperature is opposite for the field-like and antidamping torques. Measurements of the switching probability using sub-μs current pulses show that the critical current increases with the magnetic anisotropy of the layers, whereas the switching efficiency, measured as the ratio of magnetic anisotropy energy and pulse energy, decreases. The optimal annealing temperature to achieve maximum magnetic anisotropy, saturation magnetization, and switching efficiency is determined to be between 240 degrees and 270 degrees C.

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Can Onur Avci, Kevin Garello, Corneliu Nistor, Sylvie Godey, Belen Ballesteros, Aitor Mugarza, Alessandro Barla, Manuel Valvidares, Eric Pellegrin, Abhijit Ghosh, Ioan Mihai Miron, Olivier Boulle, Stephane Auffret, Gilles Gaudin, Pietro Gambardella. 2014-07-15. Fieldlike and antidamping spin-orbit torques in as-grown and annealed Ta/CoFeB/MgO layers. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.89.214419

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