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Spin torques generated via the spin-Hall effect in CoFeB/W/MgO are found to stabilize magnetization in a high-energy anti-parallel state relative to an applied magnetic field. This observation serves as a platform for studying far-from-equilibrium spin dynamics and holds promise for realizing unconventional computing paradigms.

A number of different platforms for spin-based computing have emerged over the past few years, offering energy-efficient computing methods. This Technical Review identifies key metrics that must be evaluated to benchmark their performance.

A connection between low crystalline symmetry and the allowed symmetries of the current-induced torques generated through the spin–orbit interaction opens up their use in devices with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.

Current physical neuromorphic computing faces critical challenges of how to reconfigure key physical dynamics of a system to adapt computational performance to match a diverse range of tasks. Here the authors present a task-adaptive approach to physical neuromorphic computing based on on-demand control of computing performance using various magnetic phases of chiral magnets.

Electrostatic gating can be used to modulate the magnetic anisotropy of chromium germanium telluride, a layered ferromagnetic semiconductor, and increase its Curie temperature to 200 K.

Magnetic excitations in a ferromagnet known as magnons can be converted into charge currents through a relativistic interaction that couples the spin of an electron with its orbital angular momentum.

Ferromagnetic resonance experiments show enhanced spin pumping in superconductors in the presence of spin sink layers.

Spin current, that is, the flow of angular momentum without charge transfer, may be used in efficient spintronics devices. One problem is that spin current tends to decrease, owing to spin–orbit interaction. It is now shown that through interaction with spin waves it is possible to reverse this effect and enhance the spin current back.

The use of time-resolved X-ray microscopy allows a direct visualization of the magnetization switching for nanomagnets under the effect of spin–orbit torques.

The layered structure of van der Waals materials leads to highly anisotropic thermal conductivity, due to the van der Waals gap between the layers. Here, Da̧browski et al show how this anisotropic heat transport can be harnessed for ultrafast, optically-induced control of magnetism in Cr₂Ge₂Te₆.

van der Waals magnetic materials, which retain magnetism down to a single two-dimensional layer of atoms, have great technological potential for spin-based information processing, however, typical approaches to measure their spin dynamics are often hampered by the small number of spins in a single atomic layer compared to three dimensional materials. Here, Zollitsch et al present a methodology for the detection of spin dynamics in van der Waals magnets via photon-magnon coupling between it and a superconducting resonator, with potential to resolve spin dynamics down to a single monolayer.

Extending magnetic nanostructures into three dimensions offers a vast increase in potential functionalities, but this typically comes at the expense of ease of fabrication and measurement. Here, Dion et al. demonstrate an approach to creating three dimensional magnetic nanostructures while retaining easy fabrication and readout of established two dimensional approaches.

Physical reservoir computing systems often possess a single set of internal dynamics, limiting their computational capabilities. Here, Stenning et. al. create hierarchical neural networks with distinct physical reservoirs, enabling diverse computational performance and learning of small datasets.

Van der Waals magnetic materials, which maintain their magnetic ordering down to a monolayer have been found to host a variety of spin textures, including topological spin textures such as skyrmions. Here, Khela et al. demonstrate laser induced topological switching, between skyrmions, anti-skyrmions and stripe domains in CrGeTe₃.

A nanomagnetic artificial spin ice array with two types of nanomagnets can host both magnetic macrospins and vortices. This enables highly reconfigurable magnon behaviour, which is leveraged for hardware neuromorphic computation.

Reconfigurable magnonic crystals (RMC), comprising nano-patterned arrays of magnetic elements, can host a wide variety of spectrally-distinct microstates with great potential for functional magnonics. Here, Gartside et al, present an RMC with four distinct microstates, possessing diverse magnonic properties and exhibiting reconfigurable magnon mode hybridisation.

The transport and relaxation mechanisms in organic semiconductors are still insufficiently understood, but measurements now show that in these materials polarons carry pure spin currents over extended distances with long relaxation times, and uncover the role of spin-orbit coupling in this process.

Spintronic properties of layered materials combining magnetism and strong spin–orbit coupling can be tailored by proper optimization of chemical interactions and structural material symmetries. This Review draws a route to achieving best performing material design for reaching the upper limit of spin–orbit torque efficiency in switching magnetization.