arXiv · 1202.0890
Non-equilibrium spatial distribution of Rashba spin torque in ferromagnetic metal layer
Abstract
We study the spatial distribution of spin torque induced by a strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC) in a ferromagnetic (FM) metal layer, using the Keldysh non-equilibrium Green's function method. In the presence of the s-d interaction between the non-equilibrium conduction electrons and the local magnetic moments, the RSOC effect induces a torque on the moments, which we term as the Rashba spin torque. A correlation between the Rashba spin torque and the spatial spin current is presented in this work, clearly mapping the spatial distribution of Rashba Spin torque in a nano-sized ferromagnetic device. When local magnetism is turned on, the out-of-plane (Sz) Spin Hall effect (SHE) is disrupted, but rather unexpectedly an in-plane (Sy) SHE is detected. We also study the effect of Rashba strength (α_R) and splitting exchange (Δ) on the non-equilibrium Rashba spin torque averaged over the device. Rashba spin torque allows an efficient transfer of spin momentum such that a typical switching field of 20 mT can be attained with a low current density of less than 10^6 A/cm^2.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
N. L. Chung, M. B. A. Jalil, S. G. Tan. 2012-02-24. Non-equilibrium spatial distribution of Rashba spin torque in ferromagnetic metal layer. https://arxiv.org/abs/1202.0890
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.