Enhancement in the Performance of Spin–Orbit Torque Driven Programmable Logic Using Nitrogen Doped Pt

Abstract

Spin logic devices are being actively pursued to replace and/or complement conventional logic, owing to their programmability and nonvolatility. Utilizing spin–orbit torque (SOT) induced perpendicular magnetization switching for realizing logic operations holds great promise in terms of speed, power consumption, etc. Enhancement of SOT is expected to further improve the overall logic performance. This experimental study demonstrates improved programmable logic in a heavy metal/ferrimagnet heterostructure, realized using the increased spin Hall effect in Pt deposited by sputtering in the presence of nitrogen. The enhanced SOT thus generated is found to decrease the critical switching current, widen the programmable logic operation window and improve the accuracy of logic operation, as quantified in terms of the switching probability. Thus, using nitrogen doped Pt as the SOT source results in an overall enhancement in logic performance. Spintronic devices exhibiting such enhanced performances could potentially accelerate the development of energy efficient logic devices in the future.