Heusler alloys for metal spintronics
Atsufumi Hirohata, David C. Lloyd
Abstract
Abstract Heusler alloys have been theoretically predicted and experimentally demonstrated to be an ideal spin source due to their half-metallicity at room temperature. The half-metallicity also offers low Gilbert damping constants for fast magnetization reversal with low switching current density. These intrinsic properties can offer better operationability in spin-transfer-torque-based devices. In addition spin–orbit torque can be exerted using Heusler alloys for spin Hall and caloritronic effects. These properties can be precisely controlled by substituting the constituent elements in a Heusler alloy. We review the recent development on these spintronic devices and summarize their future perspectives. Graphical abstract