1305.4873 (Frank Freimuth et al.)

Spin-orbit torques in Pt/Co films from first principles    [PDF]

Frank Freimuth, Stefan Blügel, Yuriy Mokrousov

First principles calculations of the current-induced spin-orbit torque in Pt/Co films are reported. Two qualitatively different torque components of similar magnitude are identified. One is even with respect to magnetization inversion, the other one odd. The odd torque depends strongly on an additional capping layer, while the even torque is less sensitive. The even torque is nearly entirely mediated by spin currents, but the odd torque contains a contribution which is not due to spin transfer. The computed torques are in good agreement with experiments on Pt/Co/Al$_{x}$ trilayers.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1305.4873