Observation of the orbital Rashba-Edelstein magnetoresistance

Abstract

We report the observation of magnetoresistance (MR) that could originate from the orbital angular momentum (OAM) transport in a permalloy (Py)/oxidized Cu (Cu*) heterostructure: the orbital RashbaEdelstein magnetoresistance. The angular dependence of the MR depends on the relative angle between the induced OAM and the magnetization in a similar fashion as the spin Hall magnetoresistance. Despite the absence of elements with large spin-orbit coupling, we find a sizable MR ratio, which is in contrast to the conventional spin Hall magnetoresistance which requires heavy elements. Through Py thicknessdependence studies, we conclude another mechanism beyond the conventional spin-based scenario is responsible for the MR observed in Py/Cu* structures-originated in a sizable transport of OAM. Our findings not only suggest the current-induced torques without using any heavy elements via the OAM channel but also provide an important clue towards the microscopic understanding of the role that OAM transport can play for magnetization dynamics.