Symmetry-reduced topological interface for unleashing a multidirectional spin-orbit torque

Sugimoto, Satoshi*; Araki, Yasufumi   ; Takahashi, Yukiko*; Ieda, Junichi   ; Kasai, Shinya*

Current-induced spin-orbit torque (SOT) at heavy metal/ferromagnet (HM/FM) interfaces plays a critical role in modern spintronics. The challenges in SOT research are to enhance the conversion efficiency and generate unconventional torque components. Here, we propose a simple protocol to meet such demands by engineering symmetrical structures, specifically by a wedge-shaped topological material interface in R-3m BiTe (001)/FM heterostructures. The symmetry of the topological interface is manipulated to lead to unconventional emergences of both out-of-plane and in-plane spin polarizations. Torque measurements show that these polarizations have conversion efficiencies up to 10 percent. This considerable improvement in the SOT efficiency is characterized both qualitatively and quantitatively based on the nonreciprocal ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectra and the SOT dependence on the magnetic field direction. The observed enhancement in the unconventional SOT is attributed to the wedge-oriented symmetry reduction of the spin-momentum locking structure of interfacial Dirac fermions. This advance opens new avenues for designing geometrically novel spintronics devices, demonstrating the potential of using multidirectional SOTs for forthcoming nanotechnological applications.