Orbital torque switching of perpendicular magnetization in Ti/ferrimagnet bilayers

Teng Xu; Aihua Tang; Kang Wang; Wensen Wei; Yizhou Liu; Haifeng Du

doi:10.59717/j.xinn-mater.2025.100158

The Innovation Materials > 2025 Vol. 3 > No. 4 > 100158

Next Article Previous Article

REPORT Open Access

Cite PDF

Orbital torque switching of perpendicular magnetization in Ti/ferrimagnet bilayers

1.
Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Low-Energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
2.
Science Island Branch of Graduate School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China

More Information

Corresponding authors: txu@hmfl.ac.cn (T.X.); duhf@hmfl.ac.cn (H.D.)
Received Date: June 06, 2025

Accepted Date: August 18, 2025

Published Online: August 22, 2025

The Innovation Materials 3(4), https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-mater.2025.100158 | Cite this article

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

DownLoad: Full size image

PUBLIC SUMMARY

PUBLIC SUMMARY
1. The orbital torque switching of perpendicular magnetization is achieved in Ti/ferrimagnet bilayer.
  
  The current-induced orbital torque originates from the bulk orbital Hall effect in the light metal Ti.
  
  The torque efficiency increases four-fold by enhancing the spin-orbit coupling in Fe_1-xGd_x ferrimagnets.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Orbital torque, associated with orbital current, enables light metals to efficiently manipulate magnetization with rich tunability. A clear demonstration of perpendicular magnetization switching using light metals alone is essential for understanding orbital physics and developing high-density orbitronic devices. Here, we report orbital torque switching of perpendicular magnetization of ferrimagnet (Fe_1-xGd_x) using Ti 3d light metal alone. The torque efficiency increases four-fold by enhancing the spin-orbit coupling in Fe_1-xGd_x through modulating Gd composition, which is a characteristic feature of orbital torque. Our findings demonstrate that light metals in combination with rare earth-transition metal ferrimagnets can be employed for efficient orbitronic devices and serve as a model system for studying orbitronics.
- : Orbital current /
- orbital torque /
- perpendicular magnetization switching /
- orbital torque efficiency /
- ferrimagnet

FullText(HTML)

REFERENCES

[1]	Žutić I., Fabian J. and Das Sarma S. (2004). Spintronics: Fundamentals and applications. Rev. Mod. Phys. 76:323−410. DOI:10.1103/RevModPhys.76.323 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[2]	Fert A. (2008). Nobel lecture: Origin, development, and future of spintronics. Rev. Mod. Phys. 80:1517−1530. DOI:10.1103/RevModPhys.80.1517 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[3]	Fert A., Ramesh R., Garcia V., et al. (2024). Electrical control of magnetism by electric field and current-induced torques. Rev. Mod. Phys. 96:015005. DOI:10.1103/RevModPhys.96.015005 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[4]	Manchon A., Železný J., Miron I. M., et al. (2019). Current-induced spin-orbit torques in ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic systems. Rev. Mod. Phys. 91:035004. DOI:10.1103/RevModPhys.91.035004 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[5]	Han X., Wang X., Wan C., et al. (2021). Spin-orbit torques: materials, physics, and devices. Appl. Phys. Lett. 118:120502. DOI:10.1063/5.0039147 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[6]	Song C., Zhang R., Liao L., et al. (2021). Spin-orbit torques: Materials, mechanisms, performances, and potential applications. Prog. Mater Sci. 118:100761. DOI:10.1016/j.pmatsci.2020.100761 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[7]	Shao Q., Li P., Liu L., et al. (2021). Roadmap of spin–orbit torques. IEEE Trans. Magn. 57:1−39. DOI:10.1109/TMAG.2021.3078583 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[8]	Bernevig B. A., Hughes T. L. and Zhang S.-C. (2005). Orbitronics: The intrinsic orbital current in p-doped Silicon. Phys. Rev. Lett. 95:066601. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.066601 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[9]	Go D., Jo D., Lee H.-W., et al. (2021). Orbitronics: Orbital currents in solids. Eur. Phys. Lett. 135:37001. DOI:10.1209/0295-5075/ac2653 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[10]	Jo D., Go D., Choi G.-M., et al. (2024). Spintronics meets orbitronics: Emergence of orbital angular momentum in solids. npj Spintronics 2:19. DOI:10.1038/s44306-024-00023-6 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[11]	Tanaka T., Kontani H., Naito M., et al. (2008). Intrinsic spin Hall effect and orbital Hall effect in 4d and 5d transition metals. Phys. Rev. B 77:165117. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.77.165117 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[12]	Kontani H., Tanaka T., Hirashima D. S., et al. (2009). Giant orbital Hall effect in transition metals: Origin of large spin and anomalous Hall effects. Phys. Rev. Lett. 102:016601. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.016601 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[13]	Kontani H., Tanaka T., Hirashima D. S., et al. (2008). Giant intrinsic spin and orbital Hall effects in Sr₂MO₄ (M=Ru, Rh, Mo). Phys. Rev. Lett. 100:096601. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.096601 View in Article Google Scholar
[14]	Go D., Jo D., Kim C., et al. (2018). Intrinsic spin and orbital Hall effects from orbital texture. Phys. Rev. Lett. 121:086602. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.086602 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[15]	Jo D., Go D. and Lee H.-W. (2018). Gigantic intrinsic orbital Hall effects in weakly spin-orbit coupled metals. Phys. Rev. B 98:214405. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.98.214405 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[16]	Sala G. and Gambardella P. (2022). Giant orbital Hall effect and orbital-to-spin conversion in 3d, 5d, and 4f metallic heterostructures. Physical Review Research 4:033037. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.033037 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[17]	Go D. and Lee H.-W. (2020). Orbital torque: torque generation by orbital current injection. Phys. Rev. Res. 2:013177. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.013177 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[18]	Go D., Jo D., Kim K.-W., et al. (2023). Long-range orbital torque by momentum-space hotspots. Phys. Rev. Lett. 130:246701. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.246701 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[19]	Go D., Freimuth F., Hanke J.-P., et al. (2020). Theory of current-induced angular momentum transfer dynamics in spin-orbit coupled systems. Phys. Rev. Res. 2:033401. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.033401 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[20]	Ding S., Ross A., Go D., et al. (2020). Harnessing orbital-to-spin conversion of interfacial orbital currents for efficient spin-orbit torques. Phys. Rev. Lett. 125:177201. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.177201 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[21]	Lee D., Go D., Park H.-J., et al. (2021). Orbital torque in magnetic bilayers. Nat. Commun. 12:6710. DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-26650-9 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[22]	Li T., Liu L., Li X., et al. (2023). Giant orbital-to-spin conversion for efficient current-induced magnetization switching of ferrimagnetic insulator. Nano Lett. 23:7174−7179. DOI:10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02104 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[23]	Hayashi H., Jo D., Go D., et al. (2023). Observation of long-range orbital transport and giant orbital torque. Commun. Phys. 6:32. DOI:10.1038/s42005-023-01139-7 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[24]	Hayashi H., Go D., Haku S., et al. (2024). Observation of orbital pumping. Nat. Electron. DOI:10.1038/s41928-024-01193-1. View in Article Google Scholar
[25]	Choi Y.-G., Jo D., Ko K.-H., et al. (2023). Observation of the orbital Hall effect in a light metal Ti. Nature 619:52−56. DOI:10.1038/s41586-023-06101-9 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[26]	Lyalin I., Alikhah S., Berritta M., et al. (2023). Magneto-optical detection of the orbital Hall effect in chromium. Phys. Rev. Lett. 131:156702. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.156702 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[27]	Bose A., Kammerbauer F., Gupta R., et al. (2023). Detection of long-range orbital-Hall torques. Phys. Rev. B 107:134423. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.107.134423 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[28]	Moriya H., Taniguchi M., Jo D., et al. (2024). Observation of long-range current-induced torque in Ni/Pt bilayers. Nano Lett. 24:6459−6464. DOI:10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c05102 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[29]	Ding S., Kang M.-G., Legrand W., et al. (2024). Orbital torque in rare-earth transition-metal ferrimagnets. Phys. Rev. Lett. 132:236702. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.236702 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[30]	Wang P., Feng Z., Yang Y., et al. (2023). Inverse orbital Hall effect and orbitronic terahertz emission observed in the materials with weak spin-orbit coupling. npj Quantum Mater. 8:28. DOI:10.1038/s41535-023-00559-6 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[31]	Salemi L. and Oppeneer P. M. (2022). First-principles theory of intrinsic spin and orbital Hall and Nernst effects in metallic monoatomic crystals. Phys. Rev. Mater. 6:095001. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.6.095001 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[32]	Zheng Z. C., Guo Q. X., Jo D., et al. (2020). Magnetization switching driven by current-induced torque from weakly spin-orbit coupled Zr. Phys. Rev. Res. 2:013127. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.013127 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[33]	Xie H., Zhang N., Ma Y., et al. (2023). Efficient noncollinear antiferromagnetic state switching induced by the orbital Hall effect in chromium. Nano Lett. 23:10274−10281. DOI:10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02797 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[34]	Zheng Z., Zeng T., Zhao T., et al. (2024). Effective electrical manipulation of a topological antiferromagnet by orbital torques. Nat. Commun. 15:745. DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-45109-1 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[35]	Yang Y., Wang P., Chen J., et al. (2024). Orbital torque switching in perpendicularly magnetized materials. Nat. Commun. 15:8645. DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-52824-2 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[36]	Hayashi H., Go D., Haku S., et al. (2024). Observation of orbital pumping. Nat. Electron. 7:646−652. DOI:10.1038/s41928-024-01193-1 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[37]	Finley J. and Liu L. (2020). Spintronics with compensated ferrimagnets. Appl. Phys. Lett. 116:110501. DOI:10.1063/1.5144076 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[38]	Zhou H.-A., Xu T., Bai H., et al. (2021). Efficient Spintronics with fully compensated ferrimagnets. J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 90:081006. DOI:10.7566/JPSJ.90.081006 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[39]	Kim S. K., Beach G. S. D., Lee K.-J., et al. (2022). Ferrimagnetic spintronics. Nat. Mater. 21:24−34. DOI:10.1038/s41563-021-01139-4 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[40]	Yu G., Upadhyaya P., Fan Y., et al. (2014). Switching of perpendicular magnetization by spin–orbit torques in the absence of external magnetic fields. Nat. Nanotechnol. 9:548−554. DOI:10.1038/nnano.2014.94 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[41]	Liu L., Zhao T., Lin W., et al. (2023). Symmetry breaking for current-induced magnetization switching. Appl. Physc. Rev. 10:021319. DOI:10.1063/5.0149290 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[42]	Miron I. M., Garello K., Gaudin G., et al. (2011). Perpendicular switching of a single ferromagnetic layer induced by in-plane current injection. Nature 476:189−193. DOI:10.1038/nature10309 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[43]	Liu L., Lee O. J., Gudmundsen T. J., et al. (2012). Current-induced switching of perpendicularly magnetized magnetic layers using spin torque from the spin Hall effect. Phys. Rev. Lett. 109:096602. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.096602 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[44]	Liu L., Pai C.-F., Li Y., et al. (2012). Spin-torque switching with the giant spin Hall effect of Tantalum. Science 336:555. DOI:10.1126/science.1218197 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[45]	Lee J. W., Park J. Y., Yuk J. M., et al. (2020). Spin-orbit torque in a perpendicularly magnetized ferrimagnetic TbCo single layer. Phys. Rev. Appl. 13:044030. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevApplied.13.044030 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[46]	Zheng Z., Zhang Y., Lopez-Dominguez V., et al. (2021). Field-free spin-orbit torque-induced switching of perpendicular magnetization in a ferrimagnetic layer with a vertical composition gradient. Nat. Commun. 12:4555. DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-24854-7 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[47]	Liu Q., Zhu L., Zhang X. S., et al. (2022). Giant bulk spin–orbit torque and efficient electrical switching in single ferrimagnetic FeTb layers with strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Appl. Physc. Rev. 9:021402. DOI:10.1063/5.0087260 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[48]	Krishnia S., Haltz E., Berges L., et al. (2021). Spin-orbit coupling in single-Layer ferrimagnets: direct observation of spin-orbit torques and chiral spin textures. Phys. Rev. Appl. 16:024040. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevApplied.16.024040 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[49]	Nguyen M.-H., Ralph D. C. and Buhrman R. A. (2016). Spin torque study of the spin Hall conductivity and spin diffusion length in Platinum thin films with varying resistivity. Phys. Rev. Lett. 116:126601. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.126601 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[50]	Zhu L., Ralph D. C. and Buhrman R. A. (2021). Maximizing spin-orbit torque generated by the spin Hall effect of Pt. Appl. Physc. Rev. 8:031308. DOI:10.1063/5.0059171 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[51]	Xu T., Cheng Y., Dong Y., et al. (2023). Evolution of compensated magnetism and spin-torque switching in ferrimagnetic Fe_1-xTb_x. Phys. Rev. Appl. 19:034088. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevApplied.19.034088 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[52]	Lyalin I. and Kawakami R. K. (2024). Interface transparency to orbital current. Phys. Rev. B 110:104418. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.110.104418 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[53]	Hayashi M., Kim J., Yamanouchi M., et al. (2014). Quantitative characterization of the spin-orbit torque using harmonic Hall voltage measurements. Phys. Rev. B 89:144425. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.89.144425 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[54]	Garello K., Miron I. M., Avci C. O., et al. (2013). Symmetry and magnitude of spin–orbit torques in ferromagnetic heterostructures. Nat. Nanotechnol. 8:587−593. DOI:10.1038/nnano.2013.145 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[55]	Kim J., Sinha J., Hayashi M., et al. (2013). Layer thickness dependence of the current-induced effective field vector in Ta/CoFeB/MgO. Nat. Mater. 12:240−245. DOI:10.1038/nmat3522 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[56]	Avci C. O., Garello K., Gabureac M., et al. (2014). Interplay of spin-orbit torque and thermoelectric effects in ferromagnet/normal-metal bilayers. Phys. Rev. B 90:224427. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.90.224427 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[57]	Fan Y., Upadhyaya P., Kou X., et al. (2014). Magnetization switching through giant spin–orbit torque in a magnetically doped topological insulator heterostructure. Nat. Mater. 13:699−704. DOI:10.1038/nmat3973 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[58]	Shao Q., Yu G., Lan Y.-W., et al. (2016). Strong Rashba-Edelstein effect-induced spin–orbit torques in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide/ferromagnet bilayers. Nano Lett. 16:7514−7520. DOI:10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b03300 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[59]	Wu H., Xu Y., Deng P., et al. (2019). Spin-orbit torque switching of a nearly compensated ferrimagnet by topological surface states. Adv. Mater. 31:1901681. DOI:10.1002/adma.201901681 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[60]	Wu H., Zhang P., Deng P., et al. (2019). Room-temperature spin-orbit torque from topological surface states. Phys. Rev. Lett. 123:207205. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.207205 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[61]	Park S. R., Kim C. H., Yu J., et al. (2011). Orbital-angular-momentum based origin of Rashba-type surface band splitting. Phys. Rev. Lett. 107:156803. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.156803 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[62]	Park J.-H., Kim C. H., Rhim J.-W., et al. (2012). Orbital Rashba effect and its detection by circular dichroism angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Phys. Rev. B 85:195401. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195401 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[63]	Go D., Hanke J.-P., Buhl P. M., et al. (2017). Toward surface orbitronics: giant orbital magnetism from the orbital Rashba effect at the surface of sp-metals. Sci. Rep. 7:46742. DOI:10.1038/srep46742 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[64]	Go D., Jo D., Gao T., et al. (2021). Orbital Rashba effect in a surface-oxidized Cu film. Phys. Rev. B 103:L121113. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.103.L121113 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[65]	Finley J. and Liu L. (2016). Spin-orbit-torque efficiency in compensated ferrimagnetic Cobalt-Terbium alloys. Phys. Rev. Appl. 6:054001. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevApplied.6.054001 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[66]	Mishra R., Yu J., Qiu X., et al. (2017). Anomalous current-induced spin torques in ferrimagnets near compensation. Phys. Rev. Lett. 118:167201. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.167201 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[67]	Baek S.-h. C., Amin V. P., Oh Y.-W., et al. (2018). Spin currents and spin–orbit torques in ferromagnetic trilayers. Nat. Mater. 17:509−513. DOI:10.1038/s41563-018-0041-5 View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar

Cited by

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

Cite this article:

Xu T., Tang A., Wang K., et al. (2025). Orbital torque switching of perpendicular magnetization in Ti/ferrimagnet bilayers. The Innovation Materials 3:100158. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-mater.2025.100158

Xu T., Tang A., Wang K., et al. (2025). Orbital torque switching of perpendicular magnetization in Ti/ferrimagnet bilayers. The Innovation Materials 3:100158. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-mater.2025.100158

Welcome!

To request copyright permission to republish or share portions of our works, please visit Copyright Clearance Center's (CCC) Marketplace website at marketplace.copyright.com.

Standard PDF

Extended PDF

Figures(4)

Article Metrics

Article views(3755) PDF downloads(1894)

Orbital torque switching of perpendicular magnetization in Ti/ferrimagnet bilayers

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

PUBLIC SUMMARY

ABSTRACT

REFERENCES

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

Cite this article:

Welcome!

Share

Article Metrics

Relative Articles

Cited by

Catalog

{{newsColumn.name}}

Official Account

{{newsColumn.name}}

Stay connected

{{newsColumn.name}}

Orbital torque switching of perpendicular magnetization in Ti/ferrimagnet bilayers

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

PUBLIC SUMMARY

ABSTRACT

REFERENCES

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

Cite this article:

Welcome!

Share

Article Metrics

Relative Articles

Cited by

Catalog

Export File

Citation

Format

Content

{{newsColumn.name}}

Official Account

{{newsColumn.name}}

Stay connected

{{newsColumn.name}}