Anomalous Bias Dependence of Spin Torque in Magnetic Tunnel Junctions

Ioannis Theodonis, Nicholas Kioussis, Alan Kalitsov, Mairbek Chshiev, and W. H. Butler
Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 237205 – Published 8 December 2006

Abstract

We predict an anomalous bias dependence of the spin transfer torque parallel to the interface, T, in magnetic tunnel junctions, which can be selectively tuned by the exchange splitting. It may exhibit a sign reversal without a corresponding sign reversal of the bias or even a quadratic bias dependence. We demonstrate that the underlying mechanism is the interplay of spin currents for the ferromagnetic (antiferromagnetic) configurations, which vary linearly (quadratically) with bias, respectively, due to the symmetric (asymmetric) nature of the barrier. The spin transfer torque perpendicular to interface exhibits a quadratic bias dependence.

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  • Received 2 June 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.237205

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Ioannis Theodonis1,2, Nicholas Kioussis1,*, Alan Kalitsov1, Mairbek Chshiev3, and W. H. Butler3

  • 1Department of Physics, California State University, Northridge, California 91330-8268, USA
  • 2Department of Physics, National Technical University, GR-15773, Zografou, Athens, Greece
  • 3MINT Center, University of Alabama, P. O. Box 870209, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA

  • *Email address: nick.kioussis@csun.edu.

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Vol. 97, Iss. 23 — 8 December 2006

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