Spin Transfer Torques in Monolayer WSe₂/PMA Heterostructures

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD), with composition MX₂ (M={Mo, W}, X={S, Se, Te}), are promising candidates for a variety of spintronics applications due to their intrinsic band properties [1]. In comparison to 3D spin Hall effect (SHE) materials, (typically conductive 5d/4f transition metal compounds such as Pt and W) semiconducting TMDs promise spin/charge conversion with a higher efficiency and tunability, which has been shown in heterostructures with insulating magnets [2]. Additionally, TMDs may allow for more efficient switching of magnets with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) than 3D SHE systems due to stronger out of plane spin torques [3]. We report on the growth and spin torque measurements of PMA and monolayer WSe₂ heterostructures. The PMA film stacks were grown by pulsed laser deposition and the WSe₂ was deposited with molecular beam epitaxy and chemical vapor deposition. The heterostructures were patterned into Hall bar devices and subject to angle and field resolved spin torque measurements to characterize the torque geometry and switching efficiency.