Spin-orbit torque on nuclear spins exerted by a spin accumulation via hyperfine interactions

Abstract

Spin-transfer and spin-orbit torques allow controlling magnetic degrees of freedom in various materials and devices. However, while the transfer of angular momenta between electrons has been widely studied, the contribution of nuclear spins has yet to be explored further. This article demonstrates that the hyperfine coupling, which consists of Fermi contact and dipolar interactions, can mediate the application of spin-orbit torques acting on nuclear spins. Our starting point is a sizable nuclear spin in a metal with electronic spin accumulation. Then, via the hyperfine interactions, the nuclear spin modifies the an electronic spin density. The reactions to the equilibrium and nonequilibrium components of the spin density is a torque on the nucleus with field-like and damping-like components, respectively. This nuclear spin-orbit torque is a step toward stabilizing and controlling nuclear magnetic momenta, in magnitude and direction, and realizing nuclear spintronics.