Spin-orbit torque switching of multi-domain states in Fe₃GeTe₂/Pt revealed by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy

Spin-orbit torque provides a promising route towards ultrafast, low-power magnetic memory technologies while integrating two-dimensional magnets offer new opportunities for compact architectures with tunable interfacial spin-orbit coupling and magnetic proximity effects. In exfoliated Fe₃GeTe₂/Pt heterostructures, partial magnetization switching driven by SOT has been observed through anomalous Hall and magneto-optical Kerr measurements, suggesting the emergence of multi-domain states. In this talk, we discuss the direct visualization of these SOT-driven multi-domain configurations using spatial and time-resolved scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) with X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) contrast. The imaging reveals nonuniform, quasi-static domain evolution under systematic current-pulsed hysteresis cycles, highlighting the interplay between SOT-induced and thermally assisted domain nucleation, growth, and relaxation processes that ultimately determine the switching behavior.