Easy-Cone Magnetic State Induced Ultrahigh Sensitivity and Low Driving Current in Spin-Orbit Coupling 3D Magnetic Sensors

Measurement of 3D vector magnetic field is of vital importance for the development of magnetic navigation, biomedical diagnosis, and microimaging. Traditional 3D magnetic sensors require cooperation of multiple sensors on three orthogonal planes, resulting in disadvantages of bulky size and low spatial resolution. Recently proposed spin orbit torque sensor based on ferromagnetic/heavy-metal heterostructures can detect three magnetic field components individually due to the different symmetries of current-polarity-dependent magnetization dynamic. However, the large driving current density and complex driving procedure hinder their practical application, especially in AC magnetic field detection. Herein, 3D magnetic sensors with dramatically reduced driving current density are reported, one fifth of the original value, by exquisite engineering of the magnetic anisotropy in Pt/Co/Ta heterostructures. With further reduced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, the sensor in the easy-cone state demonstrates a record-high sensitivity of 31196 V A(-1) T-1. More importantly, the easy-cone state sensor can work with an ultralow driving current density of 3.8 kA cm(-2), which is three orders lower than previous results. Although easy-cone state sensor can only measure the z-axis field, highly compact 3D magnetic sensor can be realized by adoption of two anisotropic magnetoresistance sensors, promising great potential application in space- and energy-restricted scenarios.

Automated summary

Measurement of 3D vector magnetic field is vital for magnetic navigation, biomedical diagnosis, and microimaging. Traditional 3D magnetic sensors have limitations in size and spatial resolution, but recent spin orbit torque sensors based on ferromagnetic/heavy-metal heterostructures can detect magnetic field components individually. However, their practical application is hindered by large driving current density and complex driving procedure. In this study, 3D magnetic sensors with significantly reduced driving current density are reported, along with a record-high sensitivity and the ability to work with ultralow driving current density.