Critical role of W deposition condition on spin-orbit torque induced magnetization switching in nanoscale W/CoFeB/MgO

Abstract

We study the spin-orbit torque induced magnetization switching in W/CoFeB/MgO heterostructures with W deposited under different sputtering conditions. We show that the crystal structure and resistivity of W depend on the employed sputtering conditions. Switching current of nanoscale devices is smaller while effective anisotropy field is larger for the devices with more resistive W channel deposited at lower sputtering power and higher Ar gas pressure. The effective spin Hall angle evaluated from the switching probability varies by a factor of 2–3 depending on the W resistivity controlled by the sputtering conditions.