Microscopic calculation of spin torques in textured antiferromagnets

A microscopic calculation is presented for the spin-transfer torques (STTs) and damping torques in metallic antiferromagnets (AFs). It is found that the sign of the STT is opposite to that in ferromagnets (FMs) because of the AF transport character, and the current-to-STT conversion factor is enhanced near the AF gap edge. The dissipative torque parameter beta(n) and the damping parameter alpha(n) for the Neel vector arise from spin relaxation of electrons. Physical consequences are demonstrated for the AF domain wall motion using collective coordinates, and some similarities to the FM case are pointed out such as intrinsic pinning and the specialty of alpha(n) = beta(n). A recent experiment on a ferrimagnetic GdFeCo near its angular-momentum compensation temperature is discussed.

Automated summary

A microscopic calculation analyzing spin-transfer torques and damping torques in metallic antiferromagnets reveals that the sign of the spin-transfer torque is opposite to ferromagnets and is enhanced near the antiferromagnetic gap edge. The dissipative torque parameter and damping parameter for the Neel vector are shown to originate from electron spin relaxation. Additionally, similarities to the ferromagnetic case are discussed, including intrinsic pinning and the relationship between dissipative torque parameter and damping parameter.