Supercurrent-driven Néel torque in superconductor/altermagnet hybrids

We predict a supercurrent-driven Néel spin-orbit torque in a superconductor/$d$-wave altermagnet heterostructure, associated with the emergence of spin-triplet correlations. The effect can be understood as a consequence of the supercurrent-induced spin polarization, owing to the interplay between spin orbit coupling and momentum-dependent spin splitting, as found, for example, in altermagnets. Remarkably, the supercurrent can be tuned by the Néel-vector direction, and the supercurrent-induced torque can both propel magnetic domain walls and reverse the Néel-vector orientation within a domain wall. These findings establish superconductor/altermagnet heterostructures as a versatile platform for the {supercurrent-driven} control of the Néel vector, with potential applications in racetrack memory, dissipationless superconducting electronics, and unconventional computing.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical review. B./Physical review. B
Published
2026-10-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/8zh7-h5xd
Primary Topic
Magnetic properties of thin films
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Supercurrent-driven Néel torque in superconductor/altermagnet hybrids

Hamed Vakili, Igor Žutić, Alexey A. Kovalev, Moaz Ali
Physical review. B./Physical review. B
Magnetic properties of thin films
article

Supercurrent-driven Néel torque in superconductor/altermagnet hybrids

Hamed Vakili, Igor Žutić, Alexey A. Kovalev, Moaz Ali
article en

Abstract

We predict a supercurrent-driven Néel spin-orbit torque in a superconductor/$d$-wave altermagnet heterostructure, associated with the emergence of spin-triplet correlations. The effect can be understood as a consequence of the supercurrent-induced spin polarization, owing to the interplay between spin orbit coupling and momentum-dependent spin splitting, as found, for example, in altermagnets. Remarkably, the supercurrent can be tuned by the Néel-vector direction, and the supercurrent-induced torque can both propel magnetic domain walls and reverse the Néel-vector orientation within a domain wall. These findings establish superconductor/altermagnet heterostructures as a versatile platform for the {supercurrent-driven} control of the Néel vector, with potential applications in racetrack memory, dissipationless superconducting electronics, and unconventional computing.

Physical review. B./Physical review. BVol. 114(20)
University of Nebraska–Lincoln (US), University at Buffalo, State University of New York (US)
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences
Openalex Percentile: Top 79%
Magnetic properties of thin films
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