Abstract
A spin-polarized current traversing a ferromagnet with continuously varying magnetization exerts a torque on the magnetization. The nonadiabatic contribution to this spin-transfer torque is currently under strong debate, as its value differs by orders of magnitude in theoretical predictions and in measurements. Here, a measurement scheme is presented that allows us to determine the strength of the nonadiabatic spin torque accurately and directly. Analytical and numerical calculations show that the scheme is robust against the uncertainties of the exact current direction and Oersted fields.
- Received 15 May 2009
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.077201
©2010 American Physical Society