First-principles calculation of spin-orbit torque in a Co/Pt bilayer

K. D. Belashchenko, Alexey A. Kovalev, M. Van Schilfgaarde

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38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The angular dependence of spin-orbit torque in a disordered Co/Pt bilayer is calculated using a first-principles nonequilibrium Green's function formalism with an explicit supercell averaging over Anderson disorder. In addition to the usual dampinglike and fieldlike terms, the odd torque contains a sizable planar Hall-like term (m·E)m×(z×m) whose contribution to current-induced damping is consistent with experimental observations. The dampinglike and planar Hall-like torquances depend weakly on disorder strength, while the fieldlike torquance declines with increasing disorder. The torques that contribute to damping are almost entirely due to spin-orbit coupling on the Pt atoms, but the fieldlike torque does not require it.

Original languageEnglish
Article number011401
JournalPhysical Review Materials
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019

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