Different correlations between spin Hall angle measured by the 2nd harmonic method and by the critical current density due to dimension effect in W/Ta multilayers

•W/Ta multilayers (1:0.25) presents a high spin Hall angle (θSH, 2nd) and the relatively low resistivity simultaneously.•The spin Hall angle (θSH, Jc) obtained by the critical current density is measured to explore the influence from the spin Hall angle on the magnetization switching.•θSH, Jc has strong correlation with θSH, 2nd in large dimension sample, whereas pinning effect and domain wall surface tension plays important role in θSH, Jc at the small dimension.