Efficient magnetization reversal by self-generated spin–orbit torque in magnetic bulk Rashba materials

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate that V0.027Bi0.973TeI, a material with both giant bulk Rashba effect and ferromagnetism, can reverse its magnetization by self-generated spin–orbit torque. Through first-principles calculation, it is found that the giant bulk Rashba effect arises from both bulk space inversion asymmetry and strong spin–orbital coupling, while the ferromagnetism originates from the itinerant d-electrons of doped element vanadium. More importantly, its field-like spin–orbit torque efficiency is determined to be as high as 4.53 × 10−4 mT/(A cm−2), which is more than two orders of magnitude higher than that typically observed in magnetic heterostructures. It is further shown that by using such magnetic bulk Rashba material to form a homogenous spintronic device, the power consumption for magnetization switching can be significantly reduced.