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Author Sethu, K.K.V.; Yasin, F.; Swerts, J.; Sorée, B.; De Boeck, J.; Kar, G.S.; Garello, K.; Couet, S.
Title Spin-orbit torque vector quantification in nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2024 Publication ACS nano Abbreviated Journal
Volume 18 Issue 21 Pages 13506-13516
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Spin-orbit torques (SOT) allow ultrafast, energy-efficient toggling of magnetization state by an in-plane charge current for applications such as magnetic random-access memory (SOT-MRAM). Tailoring the SOT vector comprising of antidamping (T-AD) and fieldlike (T-FL) torques could lead to faster, more reliable, and low-power SOT-MRAM. Here, we establish a method to quantify the longitudinal (T-AD) and transverse (T-FL) components of the SOT vector and its efficiency chi(AD) and chi(FL), respectively, in nanoscale three-terminal SOT magnetic tunnel junctions (SOT-MTJ). Modulation of nucleation or switching field (B-SF) for magnetization reversal by SOT effective fields (B-SOT) leads to the modification of SOT-MTJ hysteresis loop behavior from which chi(AD) and chi(FL) are quantified. Surprisingly, in nanoscale W/CoFeB SOT-MTJ, we find chi(FL) to be (i) twice as large as chi(AD) and (ii) 6 times as large as chi(FL) in micrometer-sized W/CoFeB Hall-bar devices. Our quantification is supported by micromagnetic and macrospin simulations which reproduce experimental SOT-MTJ Stoner-Wohlfarth astroid behavior only for chi(FL) > chi(AD). Additionally, from the threshold current for current-induced magnetization switching with a transverse magnetic field, we show that in SOT-MTJ, T-FL plays a more prominent role in magnetization dynamics than T-AD. Due to SOT-MRAM geometry and nanodimensionality, the potential role of nonlocal spin Hall spin current accumulated adjacent to the SOT-MTJ in the mediation of T-FL and chi(FL) amplification merits to be explored.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001226121700001 Publication Date 2024-05-15
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1936-0851 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:205980 Serial 9173
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Author Sethu, K.K.V.; Ghosh, S.; Couet, S.; Swerts, J.; Sorée, B.; De Boeck, J.; Kar, G.S.; Garello, K.
Title Optimization of tungsten beta-phase window for spin-orbit-torque magnetic random-access memory Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2021 Publication Physical Review Applied Abbreviated Journal Phys Rev Appl
Volume 16 Issue 6 Pages 064009
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Switching induced by spin-orbit torque (SOT) is being vigorously explored, as it allows the control of magnetization using an in-plane current, which enables a three-terminal magnetic-tunnel-junction geometry with isolated read and write paths. This significantly improves the device endurance and the read stability, and allows reliable subnanosecond switching. Tungsten in the beta phase, beta-W, has the largest reported antidamping SOT charge-to-spin conversion ratio (theta(AD) approximate to -60%) for heavy metals. However, beta-W has a limitation when one is aiming for reliable technology integration: the beta phase is limited to a thickness of a few nanometers and enters the alpha phase above 4 nm in our samples when industry-relevant deposition tools are used. Here, we report our approach to extending the range of beta-W, while simultaneously improving the SOT efficiency by introducing N and O doping of W. Resistivity and XRD measurements confirm the extension of the beta phase from 4 nm to more than 10 nm, and transport characterization shows an effective SOT efficiency larger than -44.4% (reaching approximately -60% for the bulk contribution). In addition, we demonstrate the possibility of controlling and enhancing the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of a storage layer (Co-Fe-B). Further, we integrate the optimized W(O, N) into SOT magnetic random-access memory (SOT-MRAM) devices and project that, for the same thickness of SOT material, the switching current decreases by 25% in optimized W(O, N) compared with our standard W. Our results open the path to using and further optimizing W for integration of SOT-MRAM technology.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000729005800002 Publication Date 2021-12-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2331-7019 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.808 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.808
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184832 Serial 7007
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Author Raymenants, E.; Bultynck, O.; Wan, D.; Devolder, T.; Garello, K.; Souriau, L.; Thiam, A.; Tsvetanova, D.; Canvel, Y.; Nikonov, D.E.; Young, I.A.; Heyns, M.; Sorée, B.; Asselberghs, I.; Radu, I.; Couet, S.; Nguyen, V.D.
Title Nanoscale domain wall devices with magnetic tunnel junction read and write Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2021 Publication Nature Electronics Abbreviated Journal
Volume 4 Issue 6 Pages 392-398
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract The manipulation of fast domain wall motion in magnetic nanostructures could form the basis of novel magnetic memory and logic devices. However, current approaches for reading and writing domain walls require external magnetic fields, or are based on conventional magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) that are not compatible with high-speed domain wall motion. Here we report domain wall devices based on perpendicular MTJs that offer electrical read and write, and fast domain wall motion via spin-orbit torque. The devices have a hybrid free layer design that consists of platinum/cobalt (Pt/Co) or a synthetic antiferromagnet (Pt/Co/Ru/Co) into the free layer of conventional MTJs. We show that our devices can achieve good tunnelling magnetoresistance readout and efficient spin-transfer torque writing that is comparable to current magnetic random-access memory technology, as well as domain wall depinning efficiency that is similar to stand-alone materials. We also show that a domain wall conduit based on a synthetic antiferromagnet offers the potential for reliable domain wall motion and faster write speed compared with a device based on Pt/Co. Domain wall devices based on perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions with a hybrid free layer design can offer electrical read and write, and fast domain wall motion driven via spin-orbit torque.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000665011500005 Publication Date 2021-06-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2520-1131 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:179673 Serial 7003
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Author Sankaran, K.; Swerts, J.; Carpenter, R.; Couet, S.; Garello, K.; Evans, R.F.L.; Rao, S.; Kim, W.; Kundu, S.; Crotti, D.; Kar, G.S.; Pourtois, G.
Title Evidence of magnetostrictive effects on STT-MRAM performance by atomistic and spin modeling Type P1 Proceeding
Year (down) 2018 Publication 2018 Ieee International Electron Devices Meeting (iedm) Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords P1 Proceeding; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract For the first time, we demonstrate, using an atomistic description of a 30nm diameter spin-transfer-torque magnetic random access memories (STT-MRAM), that the difference in mechanical properties of its sub-nanometer layers induces a high compressive strain in the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and leads to a detrimental magnetostrictive effect. Our model explains the issues met in engineering the electrical and magnetic performances in scaled STT-MRAM devices. The resulting high compressive strain built in the stack, particularly in the MgO tunnel barrier (t-MgO), and its associated non-uniform atomic displacements, impacts on the quality of the MTJ interface and leads to strain relieve mechanisms such as surface roughness and adhesion issues. We illustrate that the strain gradient induced by the different materials and their thicknesses in the stacks has a negative impact on the tunnel magneto-resistance (TMR), on the magnetic nucleation process and on the STT-MRAM performance.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000459882300147 Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 978-1-72811-987-8; 978-1-72811-987-8 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:158694 Serial 7942
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