Ultrafast magnetization switching by spin-orbit torques

Kevin Garello, Can Onur Avci, Ioan Mihai Miron, Olivier Boulle, Stéphane Auffret, Pietro Gambardella, Gilles Gaudin

Published 2013-10-21, updated 2014-09-04Version 2

Spin-orbit torques induced by spin Hall and interfacial effects in heavy metal/ferromagnetic bilayers allow for a switching geometry based on in-plane current injection. Using this geometry, we demonstrate deterministic magnetization reversal by current pulses ranging from 180~ps to ms in Pt/Co/AlOx dots with lateral dimensions of 90~nm. We characterize the switching probability and critical current $I_c$ as function of pulse length, amplitude, and external field. Our data evidence two distinct regimes: a short-time intrinsic regime, where $I_c$ scales linearly with the inverse of the pulse length, and a long-time thermally assisted regime where $I_c$ varies weakly. Both regimes are consistent with magnetization reversal proceeding by nucleation and fast propagation of domains. We find that $I_c$ is a factor 3-4 smaller compared to a single domain model and that the incubation time is negligibly small, which is a hallmark feature of spin-orbit torques.