title: Current-induced torques in the presence of spin-orbit coupling.
abstract: In systems with strong spin-orbit coupling, the relationship between spin transfer torque and the divergence of the spin current is generalized to a relation between spin transfer torques, total angular momentum current, and mechanical torques. In ferromagnetic semiconductors, where the spin-orbit coupling is large, these considerations modify the behavior of the spin transfer torques. One example is a persistent spin transfer torque in a spin valve: the spin transfer torque does not decay away from the interface but approaches a constant value. A second example is a mechanical torque at a single ferromagnetic-nonmagnetic interface.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-6202, USA.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Haney
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Stiles