Reliable Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction Measurements: Recent Advances and Future Prospects

Spintronics aims to exploit the magnetic property of electrons, the spin, to build novel, faster, and more energy-efficient computer memory and logic devices, being a possible solution for the ever growing amount of data to be stored and efficient computing techniques required [1,2]. While the technology has advanced rapidly, the devices appear to perform not sufficiently reliably. A key reason for this may be the lack of standardized, accurate measurement tools (metrology) for crucial magnetic properties. If scientists and engineers can't reliably measure the properties going into the device, they can't reliably predict its performance and design optimized devices. Consequently the path to commercializing advanced spintronic devices is slowed.

We focus on this problem by studying the measurement reliability of the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction (iDMI), which is essential for stable chiral spin structures. Such structures are most promising for novel logic-in memory or unconventional computing [3,4].

Our analysis of state-of-the-art methods [5], including BLS and MOKE-based techniques, reveals significant uncertainties and poor reproducibility. These errors are often traceable to poor characterization of foundational properties like the exchange stiffness, and the use of measurement models that do not accurately reflect experimental conditions [6,7].

To address this, we investigate possibilities to enhance measurement reliability. First, we propose leveraging micromagnetic modeling coupled with machine learning to develop a fast, consistent industrial metrology tool. Second, we explore how quantum sensing techniques, specifically NV-center magnetometry, can provide a significant leap in accuracy and reliability, ultimately establishing the rigorous standards needed to transition spintronics technology from the lab to the market.