Ultralarge Spin Hall Angle via TiO <sub>2</sub> Nanocluster‐Mediated Side‐Jump Scattering
Spin-orbit torque (SOT) enables efficient magnetization switching via the spin Hall effect in heavy metals, yet existing materials face tradeoffs between spin Hall angle, conductivity, and process compatibility. Here, W<sub>1-</sub> <sub>x</sub>(TiO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>x</sub> nanocomposites are reported by incorporating TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoclusters into the β-phase W, achieving a maximum spin Hall angle of -1.66 and damping-like SOT efficiency of -0.94, representing 114% enhancement over pure W. By theoretically separating the contributions of the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of the spin Hall effect, the enhancement of spin-orbit torque efficiency originates from substantial side jump induced by TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoclusters. Current-induced magnetization switching of W<sub>0.88</sub>(TiO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>0.12</sub> demonstrates ultralow critical density (1.78 × 10<sup>6</sup> A cm<sup>-2</sup>). Combined with its cost-effectiveness and low power consumption, these results position W<sub>0.88</sub>(TiO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>0.12</sub> as a promising candidate to replace conventional β-W in industrial SOT-magnetic random-access memory applications.
Authors
- Xinkai Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8779-9372)
- Dainan Zhang
- Yixin Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1515-6003)
- Huaiwu Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8830-2668)
- Qinghui Yang
- Yuanjing Qu
Institutions
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (CN)
- National Engineering Research Center of Electromagnetic Radiation Control Materials (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Small
- Published
- 2025-10-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202507259
- Primary Topic
- Magnetic properties of thin films
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00