Tunable unconventional spin orbit torque magnetization dynamics in van der Waals heterostructures
Journal article, 2025
Two-dimensional quantum material heterostructures can offer a promising platform for energy-efficient non-volatile spin-based technologies. However, spin dynamics experiments to understand the basic spin-orbit torque phenomena are so far lacking. Here, we demonstrate unconventional out-of-plane magnetization dynamics, and energy-efficient and field-free spin-orbit torque switching in a van der Waals heterostructure comprising out-of-plane magnet Fe3GaTe2 and topological Weyl semimetal TaIrTe4. We measured non-linear second harmonic Hall signal in TaIrTe4/Fe3GaTe2 devices to evaluate the magnetization dynamics, which is characterized by large and tunable out-of-plane damping-like torque. Energy-efficient and deterministic field-free SOT magnetization switching is achieved at room temperature with a very low current density. First-principles calculations unveil the origin of the unconventional charge-spin conversion phenomena, considering the crystal symmetry and electronic structure of TaIrTe4. These results establish that van der Waals heterostructures provide a promising route to energy-efficient, field-free, and tunable spintronic devices.
Author
Lalit Pandey
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Bing Zhao
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Karma Tenzin
Royal University of Bhutan
University of Groningen
Roselle Ngaloy
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Veronika Lamparská
University of Groningen
Himanshu Bangar
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Aya Ali
University of Sharjah
Mahmoud Abdel-Hafiez
Uppsala University
Fayoum University
University of Sharjah
Gaojie Zhang
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Hao Wu
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Haixin Chang
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Lars Sjöström
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Prasanna Rout
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Jagoda Sławińska
University of Groningen
Saroj Prasad Dash
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Nature Communications
2041-1723 (ISSN) 20411723 (eISSN)
Vol. 16 1 87222Dimensional van der Waals Spin-Orbit Torque Technology
Swedish Research Council (VR) (2021-05925), 2021-12-01 -- 2024-11-30.
2D material-based technology for industrial applications (2D-TECH) Phase 2
Mölnlycke healthcare (2024-03852), 2025-01-01 -- 2029-12-31.
VINNOVA (2024-03852), 2024-11-01 -- 2029-12-31.
Spintronics with Topological Quantum Material and Magnetic Heterostructures
Swedish Research Council (VR) (2021-04821), 2022-01-01 -- 2025-12-31.
2D Heterostructure Non-volatile Spin Memory Technology (2DSPIN-TECH)
European Commission (EC) (EC/HE/101135853), 2023-12-01 -- 2026-11-30.
Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics
Condensed Matter Physics
Infrastructure
Myfab (incl. Nanofabrication Laboratory)
DOI
10.1038/s41467-025-64109-3
PubMed
41027903