{
  "id": "1310.5586",
  "version": "v2",
  "published": "2013-10-21T15:05:39.000Z",
  "updated": "2014-09-04T13:01:11.000Z",
  "title": "Ultrafast magnetization switching by spin-orbit torques",
  "authors": [
    "Kevin Garello",
    "Can Onur Avci",
    "Ioan Mihai Miron",
    "Olivier Boulle",
    "Stéphane Auffret",
    "Pietro Gambardella",
    "Gilles Gaudin"
  ],
  "categories": [
    "cond-mat.mes-hall"
  ],
  "abstract": "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.",
  "revisions": [
    {
      "version": "v1",
      "updated": "2013-10-21T15:05:39.000Z",
      "abstract": "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 down to 380 ps in square Pt/Co/AlOx dots with lateral dimensions of 135 nm. Contrary to precessional switching in spin-transfer torque devices, we observe that the switching is bipolar with current and field and that the switching probability does not oscillate with the pulse duration or intensity. The comparison between experimental results and macrospin simulations indicates that magnetization reversal proceeds via nucleation and propagation of domains.",
      "comment": null,
      "journal": null,
      "doi": null
    },
    {
      "version": "v2",
      "updated": "2014-09-04T13:01:11.000Z"
    }
  ],
  "analyses": {
    "keywords": [
      "spin-orbit torques",
      "ultrafast magnetization switching",
      "demonstrate deterministic magnetization reversal",
      "in-plane current injection",
      "magnetization reversal proceeds"
    ],
    "tags": [
      "journal article"
    ],
    "publication": {
      "doi": "10.1063/1.4902443",
      "journal": "Applied Physics Letters",
      "year": 2014,
      "month": "Nov",
      "volume": 105,
      "number": 21,
      "pages": 212402
    },
    "note": {
      "typesetting": "TeX",
      "pages": 0,
      "language": "en",
      "license": "arXiv",
      "status": "editable",
      "adsabs": "2014ApPhL.105u2402G"
    }
  }
}