Network analyzer measurements of spin transfer torques in magnetic tunnel junctions

Lin Xue, Chen Wang, Yong-Tao Cui, J. A. Katine, R. A. Buhrman, D. C. Ralph

Published 2012-03-30, updated 2012-07-24Version 2

We demonstrate a simple network-analyzer technique to make quantitative measurements of the bias dependence of spin torque in a magnetic tunnel junction. We apply a microwave current to exert an oscillating spin torque near the ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the tunnel junction's free layer. This produces an oscillating resistance that, together with an applied direct current, generates a microwave signal that we measure with the network analyzer. An analysis of the resonant response yields the strength and direction of the spin torque at non-zero bias. We compare to measurements of the spin torque vector by time-domain spin-torque ferromagnetic resonance.