Current-driven writing process in antiferromagnetic Mn2Au for memory applications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37569-8

Authors: S. Reimers (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz) , Y. Lytvynenko (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz; Institute of Magnetism of the NAS of Ukraine and MES of Ukraine) , Y. R. Niu (MAX IV Laboratory) , E. Golias (MAX IV Laboratory) , B. Sarpi (Diamond Light Source) , L. S. I. Veiga (Diamond Light Source) , T. Denneulin (Forschungszentrum Jülich) , A. Kovács (Forschungszentrum Jülich) , R. E. Dunin-Borkowski (Forschungszentrum Jülich) , J. Bläßer (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz) , M. Klaui (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz) , M. Jourdan (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nature Communications , VOL 14

State: Published (Approved)
Published: April 2023
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 30141

Abstract: Current pulse driven Néel vector rotation in metallic antiferromagnets is one of the most promising concepts in antiferromagnetic spintronics. We show microscopically that the Néel vector of epitaxial thin films of the prototypical compound Mn2Au can be reoriented reversibly in the complete area of cross shaped device structures using single current pulses. The resulting domain pattern with aligned staggered magnetization is long term stable enabling memory applications. We achieve this switching with low heating of ≈20 K, which is promising regarding fast and efficient devices without the need for thermal activation. Current polarity dependent reversible domain wall motion demonstrates a Néel spin-orbit torque acting on the domain walls.

Diamond Keywords: Spintronics; Data Storage; Antiferromagnetism

Subject Areas: Materials, Physics, Information and Communication Technology


Instruments: I06-Nanoscience (XPEEM)

Other Facilities: MAXPEEM at MAX IV

Added On: 09/04/2023 11:30

Documents:
s41467-023-37569-8.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Quantum Materials Physics Electronics Components & Micro-systems Information & Communication Technologies Magnetism Materials Science

Technical Tags:

Microscopy Spectroscopy Electron Microscopy (EM) PhotoEmmission Electron Microscopy (PEEM) Linear Dichroism (LD) X-ray Magnetic Linear Dichroism (XMLD)