Modulation of field-like spin orbit torque in heavy metal / ferromagnet heterostructure

Recent studies rediscovered the crucial role of field-like spin orbit torque (SOT) in nanosecond-timescale SOT dynamics. However, there is not yet an effective way to control its relative amplitude. Here, we experimentally modulate the field-like SOT in W/CoFeB/MgO trilayers through tuning the interfacial spin accumulation. By performing spin Hall magnetoresistance measurement, we find that the CoFeB with enhanced spin dephasing, either generated from larger layer thickness or from proper annealing, can distinctly boost the spin absorption and enhance the interfacial spin mixing conductance G_r. While the damping-like torque efficiency increases with G_r, the field-like torque efficiency turns out to decrease with it. The results suggest that the interfacial spin accumulation, which largely contributes to a field-like torque, is reduced by higher interfacial spin transparency. Our work shows a new path to further improve the performance of SOT-based magnetic devices.