Significant role of thermal effects in current-induced exchange bias field switching at antiferromagnet/ferromagnet interface
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Published:2024
Issue:2
Volume:73
Page:027501
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ISSN:1000-3290
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Container-title:Acta Physica Sinica
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language:
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Short-container-title:Acta Phys. Sin.
Author:
He Yu,Chen Wei-Bin,Hong Bin,Huang Wen-Tao,Zhang Kun,Chen Lei,Feng Xue-Qiang,Li Bo,Liu Guo,Sun Xiao-Han,Zhao Meng,Zhang Yue, , ,
Abstract
The current-induced switching of in-plane exchange bias field (<i>H</i><sub>eb</sub>) has many advantages, such as switching without assistance of external magnetic field, excellent immunity to magnetic field, and robust magnetic anisotropy. However, the blocking temperature of the nanoscale antiferromagnet/ferromagnet (AFM/FM) heterostructure is relatively low and susceptible to thermal effects. Therefore, the Joule heating theoretically plays a substantial role in the switching of <i>H</i><sub>eb</sub> driven by current, but its underlying mechanism requires further investigation and verification. We prepare a series of Pt/IrMn/Py heterostructures with varying antiferromagnet IrMn thicknesses and systematically investigate the role of thermal effects in current-driven <i>H</i><sub>eb</sub> switching. These results demonstrate that under millisecond-level current pulses, Joule heating heats the device above the blocking temperature, leading to the decoupling of exchange coupling at AFM/FM interface. Simultaneously, the Oersted field and spin-orbit torque field generated by the current switch the ferromagnetic moments, and then a new <i>H</i><sub>eb</sub> will be induced along the direction of the ferromagnetic moments in the cooling process. Furthermore,in the switching process of <i>H</i><sub>eb</sub>, the anisotropic magnetoresistance curve of the AFM/FM heterostructure exhibits a temperature-dependent two-step magnetization reversal phenomenon. Theoretical analysis indicates that this phenomenon arises from the competitive relationship between exchange bias coupling at AFM/FM interface and direct exchange coupling between the ferromagnetic moments. The findings of this study elucidate the crucial role of thermal effects in the current-driven switching of <i>H</i><sub>eb</sub>, thereby contributing to the advancement of spintronic devices based on electrically controlled <i>H</i><sub>eb</sub>.
Publisher
Acta Physica Sinica, Chinese Physical Society and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Subject
General Physics and Astronomy
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