Spin-torque switching of the noncollinear antiferromagnetic order in antiperovskites

Manganese-based antiperovskite nitrides ANMn₃ (A = Ga, Ni, etc.) are promising material platforms for antiferromagnetic spintronics due to their noncollinear antiferromagnetic orders supporting the unconventional charge-spin conversion through the anomalous and spin-Hall effects. The efficient control of the noncollinear antiferromagnetic order is the key factor for the application of these properties. Here, we predict an electric control of the noncollinear AFM order in the antiperovskite materials by means of spin-transfer torque. Based on the first-principles calculations and the atomistic spin-model simulations, we show that the spin-transfer torque induced by a spin-polarized current generates the terahertz dynamics of the magnetization and can switch the noncollinear antiferromagnetic order in ANMn₃ on a picosecond time scale. We find that the critical current density, which is required for the switching, can be optimized by changing the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the compound by stoichiometry engineering. The predicted spin dynamical properties of antiperovskites can be useful for device application of these materials.