Nanometer-thick Si/Al gradient materials for spin torque generation

Green materials for efficient charge-to-spin conversion are desired for common spintronic applications. Recent studies have documented the efficient generation of spin torque using spin-orbit interactions (SOIs); however, SOI use relies on the employment of rare metals such as platinum. Here, we demonstrate that a nanometer-thick gradient from silicon to aluminum, which consists of readily available elements from earth resources, can produce a spin torque as large as that of platinum despite the weak SOI of these compositions. The spin torque efficiency can be improved by decreasing the thickness of the gradient, while a sharp interface was not found to increase the spin torque. Moreover, the electric conductivity of the gradient material can be up to twice as large as that of platinum, which provides a way to reduce Joule heating losses in spintronic devices.

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Publication Details

Journal
Science Advances
Published
2025-05-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr9481
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Magnetic properties of thin films
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.49
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article

Nanometer-thick Si/Al gradient materials for spin torque generation

Yukio Nozaki, Hayato Nakayama, Hiroaki Sukegawa, Junji Fujimoto et al.
2 citations
Science Advances
Magnetic properties of thin films
2.49
article

Nanometer-thick Si/Al gradient materials for spin torque generation

Yukio Nozaki, Hayato Nakayama, Hiroaki Sukegawa, Junji Fujimoto, Tadakatsu Ohkubo, Mamoru Matsuo, Zhenchao Wen, Taisuke Horaguchi, Kazuto Yamanoi, Seiji Mitani, Cong He
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Green materials for efficient charge-to-spin conversion are desired for common spintronic applications. Recent studies have documented the efficient generation of spin torque using spin-orbit interactions (SOIs); however, SOI use relies on the employment of rare metals such as platinum. Here, we demonstrate that a nanometer-thick gradient from silicon to aluminum, which consists of readily available elements from earth resources, can produce a spin torque as large as that of platinum despite the weak SOI of these compositions. The spin torque efficiency can be improved by decreasing the thickness of the gradient, while a sharp interface was not found to increase the spin torque. Moreover, the electric conductivity of the gradient material can be up to twice as large as that of platinum, which provides a way to reduce Joule heating losses in spintronic devices.

Science AdvancesVol. 11(19)
Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JP), University of Tsukuba (JP), Keio University (JP), National Institute for Materials Science (JP), Kavli Institute for Theoretical Sciences (CN), Spintronics Research Network of Japan (JP), RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (JP), Advanced Science Research Center (JP), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Magnetic properties of thin films
2.49
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