No Arabic abstract
Microwave assisted magnetization reversal has been investigated in a bilayer system of Pt/ferromagnet by detecting a change in the polarity of the spin pumping signal. The reversal process is studied in two material systems, Pt/CoFeB and Pt/NiFe, for different aspect ratios. The onset of the switching behavior is indicated by a sharp transition in the spin pumping voltage. At a threshold value of the external field, the switching process changes from partial to full reversal with increasing microwave power. The proposed method provides a simple way to detect microwave assisted magnetization reversal.
We analyse the effect of the applied field (Happl) on the current-driven magnetization reversal in pillar-shaped Co/Cu/Co trilayers, where we observe two different types of transition between the parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) magnetic configurations of the Co layers. If Happl is weaker than a rather small threshold value, the transitions between P and AP are irreversible and relatively sharp. For Happl exceding the threshold value, the same transitions are progressive and reversible. We show that the criteria for the stability of the P and AP states and the experimentally observed behavior can be precisely accounted for by introducing the current-induced torque of the spin transfer models in a Landau-Lifschitz-Gilbert equation. This approach also provides a good description for the field dependence of the critical currents.
In spite of both technical and fundamental importance, reversal of a macroscopic magnetization by an electric field (E) has been limitedly realized and remains as one of great challenges. Here, we report the realization of modulation and reversal of large magnetization (M) by E in a multiferroic crystal Ba0.5Sr1.5Zn2(Fe0.92Al0.08)12O22, in which a transverse conical spin state exhibits a remanent M and electric polarization below ~150 K. Upon sweeping E between +- 2 MV/m, M is quasi-linearly varied between +- 2 {mu}B/f.u., resulting in the M reversal. Moreover, the remanent M shows non-volatile changes of {Delta}M = +- 0.15 {mu}B/f.u., depending on the history of the applied electric fields. The large modulation and the non-volatile two-states of M at zero magnetic field are observable up to ~150 K where the transverse conical spin state is stabilized. Nuclear magnetic resonance measurements provide microscopic evidences that the electric field and the magnetic field play an equivalent role, rendering the volume of magnetic domains change accompanied by the domain wall motion. The present findings point to a new pathway for realizing the large magnetization reversal by electric fields at fairly high temperatures.
A Comment on Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 217204 (2013), Detection of Microwave Spin Pumping Using the Inverse Spin Hall Effect
We report direct electrical detection of spin pumping, using a lateral normal metal/ferromagnet/normal metal device, where a single ferromagnet in ferromagnetic resonance pumps spin polarized electrons into the normal metal, resulting in spin accumulation. The resulting backflow of spin current into the ferromagnet generates a d.c. voltage due to the spin dependent conductivities of the ferromagnet. By comparing different contact materials (Al and /or Pt), we find, in agreement with theory, that the spin related properties of the normal metal dictate the magnitude of the d.c. voltage.
We numerically study ultra fast resonant spin torque (ST) magnetization reversal in magnetic tunnelling junctions (MTJ) driven by current pulses having a direct current (DC) and a resonant alternating current (AC) component. The precessional ST dynamics of the single domain MTJ free layer cell are modelled in the macro spin approximation. The energy efficiency, reversal time, and reversal reliability are investigated under variation of pulse parameters like direct and AC current amplitude, AC frequency and AC phase. We find a range of AC and direct current amplitudes where robust resonant ST reversal is obtained with faster switching time and reduced energy consumption per pulse compared to purely direct current ST reversal. However for a certain range of AC and direct current amplitudes a strong dependence of the reversal properties on AC frequency and phase is found. Such regions of unreliable reversal must be avoided for ST memory applications.