Spin-orbit torques and magnetization switching in Ta/Pt/Co 2 FeAl/Pt/Ta multilayer structures based on Heusler magnetic alloy

Abstract Spin-orbit torque (SOT) in heavy metal and ferromagnetic metal heterostructures (HM/FM) has attracted growing attention. The FMs in most studies are conventional Co, Fe, Ni or their alloys of CoFeB, NiFe, CoFe. However, SOT studies based on HM and half-metallic ferromagnets, such as Co 2 FeAl, have been relatively less explored. In this study, a Ta/Pt/Co 2 FeAl(CFA)/Pt/Ta multilayered structure was fabricated via sputtering. The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) was successfully realized within the multilayer film structure without annealing. Concurrently, SOT-induced magnetization switching was also achieved, with a critical switching current density ( J c ) of 7×10 6 A/cm 2 under 100 Oe. Repeatability and stability tests under multiple magnetic fields showed the sample's stability over 10000 consecutive switching operations. The sample's performance in such aspects makes the Ta/Pt/CFA/Pt/Ta system a promising candidate for future SOT spintronic devices.