Spin-Orbit-Torque Efficiency in Compensated Ferrimagnetic Cobalt-Terbium Alloys

Abstract

Despite the potential advantages of information storage in antiferromagnetically coupled materials, it remains unclear whether one can control the magnetic-moment orientation efficiently because of the canceled magnetic moment. Here, we report spin-orbit-torque-induced magnetization switching of ferrimagnetic Co[subscript 1−x]Tb[subscript x] films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Current-induced switching is demonstrated in all of the studied film compositions, including those near the magnetization compensation point. The spin-orbit-torque-induced effective field is further quantified in the domain-wall motion regime. A divergent behavior that scales with the inverse of magnetic moment is confirmed close to the compensation point, which is consistent with angular momentum conservation. Moreover, we also quantify the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction energy in the Ta/Co[subscript 1−x]Tb[subscript x] system and we find that the energy density increases as a function of the Tb concentration. The demonstrated spin-orbit-torque switching, in combination with the fast magnetic dynamics and minimal net magnetization of ferrimagnetic alloys, promises spintronic devices that are faster and with higher density than traditional ferromagnetic systems.