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Updated: Aug 12, 2025

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Published on: July 20, 2022
Enhanced spin-orbit torque and field-free switching in Au/TMDs/Ni hybrid structures
Yi Luo1,2, Qian Chen2,3, Rongxin Li2
1School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Spin-orbit torque (SOT) plays a significant role in spintronic logic and memory devices. However, due to the limited spin Hall angle and SOT symmetry in a heavy-metal-ferromagnet bilayer, further improving SOT efficiency and all-electric magnetization manipulation remain a challenge. Here we report enhanced SOT efficiency and all-electric switching in Au based magnetic structures, by inserting two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) with large spin-orbit coupling. With the TMD spacer insert, both damping-like and field-like SOTs are improved, and an unconventional out-of-plane damping-like SOT is induced, due to the interface orbital hybridization, modified spin-mixing conductance and orbital current. Moreover, current induced field-free magnetization switching is demonstrated in Au/WTe2/Ni and Au/MoS2/Ni devices, and it shows multiple intermediate states and can be efficiently controlled by an electric current. Our results open a path for increasing torques and expand the application of 2D TMDs in spintronic devices for neuromorphic computing.
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