Intrinsic spin-orbit torque mechanism for deterministic all-electric switching of noncollinear antiferromagnets

Abstract

Using a pure electric current to control kagome noncollinear antiferromagnets is promising in information storage and processing, but a full description is still lacking, in particular, on intrinsic (i.e., no external magnetic fields or external spin currents) spin-orbit torques. In this work, we self-consistently describe the relations among the electronic structure, magnetic structure, spin accumulations, and intrinsic spin-orbit torques, in the magnetic dynamics of a noncollinear antiferromagnet driven by a pure electric current. Our calculation can yield a critical current density comparable with those in the experiments, when considering the boost from the out-of-plane magnetic dynamics induced by the current-driven spin accumulation on individual magnetic moments. We stress the parity symmetry breaking in deterministic switching among magnetic structures. This work will be helpful for future applications of noncollinear antiferromagnets.