Current-induced torques in heterostructures of 2D van der Waals magnets

The recent discovery of magnetic order in layered 2D van der Waals materials has opened a new platform for spintronic devices, allowing studies of current-induced torques in high-quality heterostructures of single-crystal 2D magnets and large spin-orbit coupling (SOC) materials. Here, we integrate mechanically exfoliated thin flakes of the insulating 2D ferromagnet Cr₂Ge₂Te₆ into a heterostructure with heavy metal Tantalum as the large SOC material. We report initial results of current induced deflections of the out-of-plane magnetic moment of Cr₂Ge₂Te₆ and characterize the spin-orbit torque generated. This work represents a first step towards improved strategies for magnetic memory and logic using heterostructures of van der Waals 2D magnets.