Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    Inefficiency of orbital Hall effect on the spin torque in transition metal/ferromagnet bilayers

    Yizhuo Song, Jialin Tian, Fanxing Zheng, Jianting Dong, Meng Zhu, and Jia Zhang*

    • *Contact author: jiazhang@hust.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. Applied 24, 034038 – Published 16 September, 2025

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/5w22-h2fb

    Abstract

    Current-induced spin torque is essential and crucial in spintronics. In this work, we systematically investigate the spin torque in transition metal (TM)/ferromagnet (FM) bilayers by using first-principles calculations and taking into account the phonon scattering at room temperature. To examine the spin and orbital Hall contributions, the studied transition metals include 5d heavy metals Pt,W,Au, and Ta as well as 3d light metals Ti,V,Cr,Cu, etc. We found that in TM/CoFe bilayers with typical 3d and 5d transition metals, the spin torque on CoFe mainly originates from the spin Hall mechanism, with the magnitude and sign of the damping-like torque efficiency consistent with those of the spin Hall conductivity (SHC). In TM/Ni bilayers, the spin torque is contributed by three mechanisms, including the spin and orbital Hall effect in the TM, as well as self-torque in Ni. For TM/Ni bilayers, when SHCs are large in TMs, for instance in W and Pt, the spin torques are mainly contributed by the spin Hall effect rather than the orbital Hall effect due to the partial cancellation of orbital and self-torque. For other cases, including Ti/Ni, V/Ni, and Ta/Ni, the orbital Hall torques also compete with either self-torque in Ni or the spin Hall effect in the TMs, which leads to the resultant spin torque efficiency not being pronounced. Our work reveals the less efficient contribution of the orbital Hall effect than the spin Hall effect on the spin torque in TM/FM bilayers.

    Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

    Authorization Required

    We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

    References (Subscription Required)

    Outline

    Information

    Sign In to Your Journals Account

    Filter

    Filter

    Article Lookup

    Enter a citation