Effects of oxidation on the spin-orbit torques and domain textures in ultrathin Pt/Co/AlOx heterostructures

We investigated the correlation between structure, oxidation, and magnetic properties of Pt/Co/AlOx, Pt/CoOx/Co/AlOx and PtOx/Co/AlOx heterostructures. We find that the anomalous Hall resistance, magnetoresistance, magnetic anisotropy, and domain texture are affected in a systematic way by the degree of oxidation of the Co/AlOx, CoO/Co and PtOx/Co interfaces. Moreover, we find that oxidation also influences the spin-orbit torques as well as the current-induced domain-wall motion and switching.