Non-equilibrium spatial distribution of Rashba spin torque in ferromagnetic metal layer

Abstract

We study the spatial distribution of spin torque induced by a strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC) in a ferromagnetic (FM) metal layer, using the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green's function method. In the presence of the s-d interaction between the non-equilibrium conduction electrons and the local magnetic moments, the RSOC effect induces a torque on the moments, which we term the Rashba spin torque. A correlation between the Rashba spin torque and the spatial spin current is presented in this work, clearly mapping the spatial distribution of Rashba spin torque in a nanosized ferromagnetic device. When local magnetism is turned on, the out-of-plane (Sz) Spin Hall effect (SHE) is disrupted, but rather unexpectedly an in-plane (Sy) SHE is detected.We also study the effect of Rashba strength (αR) and splitting exchange (δ) on the non-equilibrium Rashba spin torque averaged over the device. Rashba spin torque allows an efficient transfer of spin momentum such that a typical switching field of 20 mT can be attained with a low current density of less than 107A/cm2. Copyright © 2012 Author(s).