Spin-torque switching of noncollinear antiferromagnetic antiperovskites

Authors

• Gautam Gurung, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Ding-Fu Shao, University of Nebraska
• Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

4-17-2020

Citation

GURUNG, SHAO, AND TSYMBAL. PHYSICAL REVIEW B 101, 140405(R) (2020). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.101.140405

Comments

Used by permission.

Abstract

Antiferromagnetic (AFM) spintronics exploits the Néel vector as a state variable for novel electronic devices. Recent studies have demonstrated that the Néel vector can be switched by a spin-orbit torque. These studies however are largely limited to collinear antiferromagnets of proper magnetic space-group symmetry. There is, however, a large group of high-temperature noncollinear antiferromagnets, which are suitable for such switching. Here, we predict that spin torque can be efficiently used to switch a noncollinear AFM order in antiperovskite materials. Based on first-principles calculations and atomistic spin-dynamics modeling, we show that in antiperovskites ANMn₃ (A = Ga, Ni, etc.) with the AFM Γ_4g ground state, the AFM order can be switched on the picosecond timescale using a spin torque generated by a spin current. The threshold switching current density can be tuned by the ANMn₃ stoichiometry engineering, changing the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The Γ_4g AFM phase supports a sizable anomalous Hall effect, which can be used to detect the spin-torque switching of the AFM order. The predicted ultrafast switching dynamics and the efficient detection of the AFM order state make noncollinear magnetic antiperovskites a promising material platform for AFM spintronics.