Manipulation of perpendicular magnetization via magnon current with tilted polarization

Abstract

Field-free switching of perpendicular magnetization driven by magnons is a promising technology that can significantly reduce energy dissipation and potential damage to spintronic devices. However, achieving such switching experimentally often demands an additional in-plane magnetic field or other complex measures, severely limiting its prospects. Here, we have successfully demonstrated field-free switching of perpendicular magnetization through a magnon current with tilted polarization in specially designed all-oxide heterostructures of SrRuO₃/LaMnO₃/SrIrO₃. The ferromagnetic interface, resulting from charge reconstruction between the LaMnO₃ and SrIrO₃ layers, generates a tilted-polarized magnon current. This magnon current effectively breaks the mirror symmetry that traditionally hinders deterministic switching in spin-orbit torque setups and realizes field-free switching of perpendicular magnetization. In addition, the critical switching current density is significantly lower than that in conventional metallic systems. These findings open a promising avenue for developing highly efficient all-oxide spintronic devices that can be operated by magnon current.