Magnetization switching by magnon-mediated spin torque through an antiferromagnetic insulator
Abstract
Widespread applications of magnetic devices require an efficient means to manipulate the local magnetization. One mechanism is the electrical spin-transfer torque associated with electron-mediated spin currents; however, this suffers from substantial energy dissipation caused by Joule heating. We experimentally demonstrated an alternative approach based on magnon currents and achieved magnon-torque–induced magnetization switching in Bi2Se3/antiferromagnetic insulator NiO/ferromagnet devices at room temperature. The magnon currents carry spin angular momentum efficiently without involving moving electrons through a 25-nanometer-thick NiO layer. The magnon torque is sufficient to control the magnetization, which is comparable with previously observed electrical spin torque ratios. This research, which is relevant to the energy-efficient control of spintronic devices, will invigorate magnon-based memory and logic devices.
Publication Title
Science
Recommended Citation
Wang, Y., Zhu, D., Yang, Y., Lee, K., Mishra, R., Go, G., Oh, S., & Kim, D. (2019). Magnetization switching by magnon-mediated spin torque through an antiferromagnetic insulator. Science, 366 (6469), 1125-1128. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aav8076
