Spin-orbit torque-induced magnetization switching in Pt/Co-Tb/Ta structures

Although transition metal (TM)-rare earth (RE) alloy film has potential application as an information storage medium in spintronic devices, study of the physical mechanism and microscopic process for the current-induced magnetization switching by spin-orbit torque (SOT) in TM-RE is still inadequate. In this work, we investigated the SOT effect and its driven magnetization switching in Pt/Co-Tb/Ta structures with various Co-Tb compositions. The results show that the current-induced SOT effective fields follow 1/M-s law near the compensation composition in this structure. Because of the large SOT effective field and the low coercivity for the Co-Tb layer near the compensation composition, the current-induced magnetization switching with a threshold current density as low as 10(10) A/m(2) was achieved in the system. The direct Kerr imaging on the switching process verifies two different current-induced switching mechanisms in the Pt/Co-Tb/Ta system.

Automated summary

The study investigated spin-orbit torque (SOT) effect and magnetization switching in Pt/Co-Tb/Ta structures with various Co-Tb compositions. Results revealed a certain law for current-induced SOT effective fields in the structure, as well as low coercivity near the compensation composition enabling current-induced magnetization switching at a low threshold current density. Direct Kerr imaging verified two different current-induced switching mechanisms in the Pt/Co-Tb/Ta system.