Understanding spin-orbit torques in magnetic nanostructures
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Spin-orbit torque allows electrical manipulation of magnetisation direction which has applications in future magnetic data-storage, and spintronic digital memory and information processing applications. It arises at the interface between a ferromagnet an non-magnetic heavy metal due to the spin-orbit interaction; this is thought to occur via two mechanisms - the spin-Hall effect due to spin-orbit scattering in the non-magnetic metal and the Rashba effect due to the breaking of structural inversion symmetry at the interface. The relative roles of these effects, and whether these are actually the primary cause of spin-orbit torques, remains unclear. Additionally, theoretical descriptions of spin-orbit torques neglect many factors that may be crucial - particularly the atomic scale crystal structure of the materials used and how this is impacted upon by the presence of an interface, and the possibility of proximity induced magnetism in the non-magnetic layer creating an equilibrium spin imbalance. These factors will be investigated by making devices from designed high-quality thin-film multilayer structures by lithographic microfabrication, and studying spin-orbit torques using a combination of laboratory-based magneto-electrical, magneto-optical, and microstructural measurements in conjunction with facilities-based work using polarised neutron and resonant x-ray scattering techniques.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Aidan Hindmarch (Primary Supervisor) | |
Ben Nicholson (Student) |
Publications
Belmeguenai M
(2018)
Thickness Dependence of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction in Co 2 FeAl Ultrathin Films: Effects of Annealing Temperature and Heavy-Metal Material
in Physical Review Applied
Inyang O
(2019)
Threshold interface magnetization required to induce magnetic proximity effect
in Physical Review B
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EP/N509462/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
1769567 | Studentship | EP/N509462/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/12/2020 | Ben Nicholson |
Description | Celebrate Science |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Celebrate science is an event hosted by Durham University which is an opportunity for staff and students to engage with a target audience of 7 to 11 year olds, promoting an interest in their respective students. In 2019, around 8000 people visited the marque over the three day event in which we presented the use of magnets in turbine generators, 'seeing' magnetic fields with ferrofluids and the speed of falling magnets in copper/plastic pipes. The main outcome of this event was to increase interest of primary school children in magnetism and science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Outreach - Celebrate Science |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Celebrate science is an event hosted by Durham University which is an opportunity for staff and students to engage with a target audience of 7 to 11 year olds, promoting an interest in their respective students. In 2017, around 5000 people visited the marque over the three day event in which we presented the use of magnets in turbine generators, 'seeing' magnetic fields with ferrofluids and the speed of falling magnets in copper/plastic pipes. The main outcome of this event was to increase interest of primary school children in magnetism and science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Schools Physicist of the Year |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Delivered a stall at a celebratory event for each schools 'physicist of the year'. This involved engaging with students through the demonstration of various magnetism related experiments such as ferrofluids and dynamos. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |