Spin-orbit torques due to extrinsic spin-orbit scattering of topological insulator surface states: out-of-plane magnetization

Abstract

The origins of the spin-orbit torque (SOT) at ferromagnet/topological insulator interfaces are incompletely understood. The theory has overwhelmingly focussed on the Edelstein effect due to the surface states in the presence of a scalar scattering potential. We investigate here the contribution to the SOT due to extrinsic spin-orbit (SO) scattering of the surface states, focusing on the case of an out-of-plane magnetization. We show that SO scattering brings about a sizable renormalization of the field-like SOT, which exceeds 20 $\%$ at larger strengths of the extrinsic SO parameter. The resulting SOT exhibits a maximum as a function of the Fermi energy, magnetization, and extrinsic SO strength. The field-like SOT decreases with increasing disorder strength, while the damping-like SOT is independent of the impurity density. With experimental observation in mind we also determine the role of extrinsic SO scattering on the anomalous Hall effect. Our results suggest extrinsic SO scattering is a significant contributor to the surface SOT stemming from the Edelstein effect when the magnetization is out of the plane.

Keywords

• topological insulators
• extrinsic spin-orbit scattering
• spin-orbit torques