Thermally Activated Magnetic Reversal Induced by a Spin-Polarized Current

E. B. Myers, F. J. Albert, J. C. Sankey, E. Bonet, R. A. Buhrman, and D. C. Ralph
Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 196801 – Published 16 October 2002

Abstract

We have measured the statistical properties of magnetic reversal in nanomagnets driven by a spin-polarized current. Like reversal induced by a magnetic field, spin-transfer-driven reversal near room temperature exhibits the properties of thermally activated escape over an effective barrier. However, the spin-transfer effect produces qualitatively different behaviors than an applied magnetic field. We discuss an effective current vs field stability diagram. If the current and field are tuned so that their effects oppose one another, the magnet can exhibit telegraph-noise switching.

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  • Received 13 March 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.196801

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

E. B. Myers, F. J. Albert, J. C. Sankey, E. Bonet, R. A. Buhrman, and D. C. Ralph

  • Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853

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Issue

Vol. 89, Iss. 19 — 4 November 2002

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