Spin-Orbit-Torque: Where is the damping-like Term in the pic and why?

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In summary, the damping torque (\tau_{SOT} in the figure) is perpendicular to the field-like torque (\tau_{ext}), but it is not perpendicular to the original torque (\tau). This might be due to an anisotropy in the material, which is trying to align the magnetization vector in the previous direction.
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JanSpintronics
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Hello everybody,

So my Problem has something to do with Spin Orbit Torques in a Bilayer of a heavy metal and a Ferromagnet. From the Landau-Lifschitz-Gilbert equation we Know that there exists a damping-like and a field-like torque. So far i understand, the damping torque-term is always perpendicular to the one of the fieldlike and always try to damping the field like term, so he have to be perpendicular to the field like Torque. But in the following example its not the case:
Its all decribe in the Macro-Spin-model. In this Bilayer is a Troque coming from the external fiel d, which is given by:
[itex] \tau_{ext}=m \times B_{ext} [/itex]
The external field is applied in the xz-plane (not really obviosly in the picture).
The Spin Orbit Troque (SOT) Term, which i know just includes the damping term, is given by:
[itex] \tau_{SOT}= \tau^0 _{SOT}* m\times \sigma \times m [/itex]
So and now my questions: As you can see in the picture, the damping term and the Term of the field are pointing in the same direction (the Torques [itex] \tau_{SOT} [/itex] and [itex] \tau_{ext} [/itex]). Why is the SOT Term a damping Term?
It looks like he just accelerate or increases the rotation. I would assign the anisotropy-term as a damping term, because this torque is trying to align the magnetization vector in his previous direction (which i understand as a damping effect).
Furthermore I am confused, why this [itex] \tau_{SOT} [/itex] isn't perpendicular to the Torque of the field. i mean, form the LLG-equation the damping term is always a crossproduct from the fieldlike-part-direction and and magnetization vector, so it must be perpendicular to the field-like-term.

I hope you see where i struggle and hopefully you can help me.
Best Regards

PS.sry for my english and sry for posting it in the wrong forum, i didnt find it :doh:
STToderSOT.png
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF!

I had to delete your duplicate post in member intros as we reserve that for intros only.
 
  • #3
Alright, sorry again for that, i post a third in a (hopefully right) forumo_O😓 sorry
 

1. What is spin-orbit torque and how does it work?

Spin-orbit torque is a phenomenon in which the spin of electrons is used to manipulate the magnetic orientation of a material. It works by applying an electric current to a material with strong spin-orbit coupling, which causes the spin of the electrons to interact with the magnetic moments of the material and exert a torque on them.

2. What is the role of the damping-like term in spin-orbit torque?

The damping-like term in spin-orbit torque is responsible for dissipating the energy of the electrons as they interact with the magnetic moments of the material. This term helps to stabilize the magnetic orientation and prevent it from fluctuating too much.

3. Where is the damping-like term located in the spin-orbit torque equation?

The damping-like term is typically located on the right side of the spin-orbit torque equation, along with the other terms that contribute to the torque. It is often denoted by the symbol α, and its value can vary depending on the material and experimental conditions.

4. Why is the damping-like term important in spin-orbit torque?

The damping-like term is important because it helps to balance the other terms in the spin-orbit torque equation and ensure that the magnetic orientation remains stable. Without this term, the magnetic moments of the material would be more prone to fluctuations and could potentially be unstable.

5. How is the damping-like term determined in spin-orbit torque experiments?

The damping-like term is typically determined through experimental measurements of the spin-orbit torque effect. By varying the experimental conditions and measuring the resulting torque, researchers can determine the value of the damping-like term and how it contributes to the overall spin-orbit torque phenomenon.

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