Emergence of spin–orbit torques in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides: A status update

Spin–orbit coupling (SOC) in two-dimensional (2D) materials has emerged as a powerful tool for designing spintronic devices. On the one hand, the interest in this respect for graphene, the most popular 2D material with numerous fascinating and exciting properties, is fading due to the absence of SOC. On the other hand, 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are known to exhibit rich physics including large SOC. TMDs have been used for decades in a variety of applications such as nano-electronics, photonics, optoelectronics, sensing, and recently also in spintronics. Here, we review the current progress in research on 2D TMDs for generating spin–orbit torques in spin-logic devices. Several challenges connecting to thin film growth, film thickness, layer symmetry, and transport properties and their impact on the efficiency of spintronic devices are reviewed. How different TMDs generate spin–orbit torques in magnetic heterostructures is discussed in detail. Relevant aspects for improving the quality of the thin film growth as well as the efficiency of the generated spin–orbit torques are discussed together with future perspectives in the field of spin-orbitronics.