Current-driven writing process in antiferromagnetic Mn2Au for memory applications.

Current pulse driven Néel vector rotation in metallic antiferromagnets is one of the most promising concepts in antiferromagnetic spintronics. We show microscopically that the Néel vector of epitaxial thin films of the prototypical compound Mn₂Au can be reoriented reversibly in the complete area of cross shaped device structures using single current pulses. The resulting domain pattern with aligned staggered magnetization is long term stable enabling memory applications. We achieve this switching with low heating of ≈20 K, which is promising regarding fast and efficient devices without the need for thermal activation. Current polarity dependent reversible domain wall motion demonstrates a Néel spin-orbit torque acting on the domain walls. Antiferromagnets have an inbuilt resilience to external magnetic fields and intrinsically fast dynamics, properties that have garnered interest in the hope that they could be used for antiferromagnet memories. Central to this are Neel spin-orbit torques, which can switch the individual sublattices of the antiferromagnet. Here, Reimers et al demonstrate complete and reversible current induced switching of the Neel vector in Mn₂Au. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]