Magnetization switching by charge current without a magnetic field is essential for device applications and information technology. It generally requires a current-induced out-of-plane spin polarization beyond the capability of conventional ferromagnet/heavy-metal systems, where the current-induced spin polarization aligns in-plane orthogonal to the in-plane charge current and out-of-plane spin current. Here, we demonstrate a new approach for magnetic-field-free switching by fabricating a van-der-Waals magnet and oxide Fe3GeTe2/SrTiO3 heterostructure. This new magnetic-field-free switching is possible because the current-driven accumulated spins at the Rashba interface precess around an emergent interface magnetism, eventually producing an ultimate out-of-plane spin polarization. This interpretation is further confirmed by the switching polarity change controlled by the in-plane initialization magnetic fields with clear hysteresis. We successfully combined van-der-Waals magnet and oxide for the first time, especially taking advantage of spin-orbit torque on the SrTiO3 oxide. This allows us to establish a new way of magnetic field-free switching. Our work demonstrates an unusual perpendicular switching application of large spin Hall angle materials and precession of accumulated spins, and in doing so, opens up a new field and opportunities for van-der-Waals magnets and oxide spintronics.
@article{arxiv.2501.04235,
title = {Novel magnetic-field-free switching behavior in vdW-magnet/oxide heterostructure},
author = {Jihoon Keum and Kai-Xuan Zhang and Suik Cheon and Hyuncheol Kim and Jingyuan Cui and Giung Park and Yunyeong Chang and Miyoung Kim and Hyun-Woo Lee and Je-Geun Park},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2501.04235},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
Accepted by Advanced Materials (2025); 47 pages, 4 main figures, 16 supporting figures