AC Current‐Driven Magnetization Switching and Nonlinear Hall Rectification in a Magnetic Topological Insulator
Spin-orbit torque arising from the spin-orbit-coupled surface states of topological insulators enables current-induced control of magnetization with high efficiency. Here, alternating-current (AC) driven magnetization reversal is demonstrated in a semi-magnetic topological insulator (Cr,Bi,Sb)<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/(Bi,Sb)<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>, facilitated by a low threshold current density of 1.5 × 10<sup>9</sup> A m<sup>-2</sup>. Time-domain Hall voltage measurements using an oscilloscope reveal a strongly nonlinear and rectified Hall response during the magnetization reversal process. Fourier analysis of the time-varying Hall voltage identifies higher-harmonic signals and a rectified direct-current (DC) component, highlighting the complex interplay among the applied current, external magnetic field, and magnetization dynamics. Furthermore, a hysteretic behavior in the current-voltage characteristics gives rise to frequency mixing under dual-frequency excitation. This effect, distinct from conventional polynomial-based nonlinearities, allows for selective extraction of specific frequency components. The results demonstrate that AC excitation can not only switch magnetization efficiently but also induce tunable nonlinear responses, offering a new pathway for multifunctional spintronic devices with potential applications in energy-efficient memory, signal processing, and frequency conversion.
Authors
- Ryutaro Yoshimi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6200-9375)
- Minoru Kawamura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0104-6257)
- Atsushi Tsukazaki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0251-063X)
- M. Kawasaki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6397-4812)
- Max T. Birch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9320-8561)
- Masataka Mogi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4193-1787)
- Y. Suzuki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6883-4293)
- Yukako Fujishiro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1988-4187)
- Yoshinori Tokura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2732-4983)
- Yuto Kiyonaga
Institutions
- Pioneer (United States) (US)
- Tokyo Kasei University (JP)
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (JP)
- The University of Tokyo (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Materials
- Published
- 2025-10-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202506210
- Primary Topic
- Topological Materials and Phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- RIKEN
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology