Magnetization reorientation induced by spin–orbit torque in YIG/Pt bilayers*

Abstract

In this work, we report the reorientation of magnetization by spin–orbit torque (SOT) in YIG/Pt bilayers. The SOT is investigated by measuring the spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR), which is highly sensitive to the direction of magnetic moment of YIG. An external in-plane rotating magnetic field which is applied to the YIG/Pt bilayers, and the evolutions of SMR under different injected currents in the Pt layer, result in deviation of SMR curve from the standard shape. We conclude that the SOT caused by spin accumulation near the interface between YIG and Pt can effectively reorient the in-plane magnetic moment of YIG. This discovery provides an effective way to modulate YIG magnetic moments by electrical methods.