Observation of the Unidirectional Magnetoresistance in Antiferromagnetic Insulator Fe2O3/Pt Bilayers

Abstract

Unidirectional magnetoresistance (UMR) has been observed in a variety of stacks with ferromagnetic/spin Hall material bilayer structures. In this work, UMR in antiferromagnetic insulator Fe2O3/Pt structure is reported. The UMR has a negative value, which is related to interfacial Rashba coupling and band splitting. Thickness-dependent measurement reveals a potential competition between UMR and the unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance (USMR). This work reveals the existence of UMR in antiferromagnetic insulators/heavy metal bilayers and broadens the way for the application of antiferromagnet-based spintronic devices.