Terahertz Phase Inversion via Field-Free Spin-Orbit Torque Switching in an Antenna-Integrated Spintronic Heterostructure

Abstract

We demonstrate microsecond-timescale electrical control of the terahertz (THz) emission phase in broadband field-free spintronic THz emitters, enabling megahertz-rate phase inversion while overcoming the kilohertz limitations of conventional mechanical and field-driven approaches. Our device integrates an H-dipole antenna with a spintronic heterostructure exhibiting uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, enabling deterministic spin-orbit torque induced in-plane magnetization switching without external magnetic fields. The corresponding THz phase inversion is directly observed in the time domain signal, by applying $1\,μ\mathrm{s}$ electrical pulses on the bias striplines of the H-dipole. This field-free operation reduces system complexity while significantly extending modulation bandwidth. Our results establish electrically programmable spintronic THz emitters that could be used to develop a compact and scalable platform for integrated on-chip THz devices and ultrafast applications, including phase-sensitive spectroscopy and near-field imaging, where high-speed and precise control of THz waveforms is essential.