Project description
High-density, low-consumption data storage
Two-dimensional materials (2DMs) have emerged as a promising field in recent years. Their unique properties can be leveraged to revolutionise the world of data storage. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SORTIR project will explore the potential of 2DMs, such as topological insulators and transition metal dichalcogenides, as efficient spin sources for magnetic random access memory. By doing so, SORTIR hopes to significantly enhance spin-orbit torque efficiencies and enable high-density, low-consumption data storage. The goal is to unlock the full potential of 2DMs and create a new era of data storage technology
Objective
In recent years, spintronics has seen a substantial increase on application in data storage devices, targeting low-energy cost and non-volatility. Indeed, the magnetic random access memory (MRAM) is the only non-volatile memory capable of high-density, high-endurance and fast-write operation and is considered as the best candidate for embedded non-volatile applications. In this technology, the information is stored by the direction of the magnetization of ferromagnets. The most scalable and efficient way to control the magnetization is the use of spin currents, which exert a torque on it and can fully reverse its direction. The most common spin-sources investigated for spin-orbit-torque MRAM (SOT-MRAM) are heavy metals such as Pt, W or Ta, which convert an electrical current in a spin current by means of, for example, the spin Hall effect arising from their strong spin-orbit coupling. The reported SOT efficiencies indeed allow current-induced magnetization switching, however, the current densities required are still too large for practical implementations.
Steady progress in two-dimensional materials (2DMs) offers new perspectives for downscaling and improving MRAM performance. Their 2D nature and weak van-der-Waals interaction between layers enables to create atomically thin stacks with sharp interfaces, circumventing roughness and inter-diffusion, which significantly degrade the spin properties of conventional materials. Among them, topological insulators and transition metal dichalcogenides are expected to be very efficient spin-sources that could significantly enhance the SOTs in comparison to conventional bulk materials. The SORTIR project therefore aims at using the unique properties of 2DMs to unleash their potential for high SOT efficiencies, targeting both low-consumption and high density for data storage.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinator
08193 Cerdanyola Del Valles
Spain