Angle-dependent interlayer exchange coupling in all-electric perpendicular magnetization switching

Spin–orbit torque (SOT)-induced deterministic control of the magnetization in ferromagnets with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) is key to next-generation spintronic applications. However, the tunability of SOT-induced switching still requires further exploration. Here, we investigated the angle-dependent interlayer exchange coupling on all-electric magnetization switching in a Co/Pt/Co trilayer, where the two Co layers exhibit PMA and in-plane magnetic anisotropy, respectively. After pre-magnetizing the in-plane Co layer, all-electric magnetization switching was achieved through interlayer exchange coupling. By changing the pre-magnetization direction, the out-of-plane SOT efficiency in the Co/Pt/Co device can be modulated, which depends on the x-component of the interlayer exchange coupling field. Additionally, a proportional variation in the magnitude of magnetization switching was observed, which corresponds to different current-induced out-of-plane effective fields. Such modulation of SOT switching is attributed to angle-dependent interlayer exchange coupling, which could be important for developing spin devices with enhanced tunability.