Current-driven magnetization switching in a van der Waals ferromagnet Fe₃GeTe₂

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Spintronics

Background:

• Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) materials exhibit ferromagnetism, offering potential for advanced spintronic devices.
• Efficient electrical control of magnetization is crucial for developing spintronic nanodevices like magnetic memories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate electrical switching of magnetization in a 2D vdW magnet using spin-orbit torques (SOTs).
• To investigate the feasibility of using bilayer structures for SOT-driven magnetization control.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a Fe₃GeTe₂/Pt bilayer structure.
• Application of current to the Pt layer to generate spin-orbit torques.
• Quantitative characterization of SOTs using harmonic measurements.

Main Results:

• Effective switching of magnetization in few-layered Fe₃GeTe₂ was achieved via SOTs from the adjacent Pt layer.
• The effective magnetic fields associated with SOTs were quantitatively determined.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrated SOT-driven magnetization switching in a 2D vdW magnet.
• This work paves the way for low-dimensional materials in next-generation spintronic applications.