Time domain detection of pulsed spin torque damping reduction

Combining multiple ultrafast spin torque impulses with a 5 nanosecond duration pulse for damping reduction, we observe time-domain precession which evolves from an initial 1 ns duration transient with changing precessional amplitude to constant amplitude oscillations persisting for over 2 ns. These results are consistent with relaxation of the transient trajectories to a stable orbit with nearly zero damping. We find that in order to observe complete damping cancellation and the transient behavior in a time domain sampling measurement, a short duration, fast rise-time pulse is required to cancel damping without significant trajectory dephasing.

Coherent control of nanomagnet dynamics via ultrafast spin torque pulses

The magnetization orientation of a nanoscale ferromagnet can be manipulated using an electric current via the spin transfer effect. Time domain measurements of nanopillar devices at low temperatures have directly shown that magnetization dynamics and reversal occur coherently over a timescale of nanoseconds. By adjusting the shape of a spin torque waveform over a timescale comparable to the free precession period (100-400 ps), control of the magnetization dynamics in nanopillar devices should be possible. Here we report coherent control of the free layer magnetization in nanopillar devices using a pair of current pulses as narrow as 30 ps with adjustable amplitudes and delay. We show that the switching probability can be tuned over a broad range by timing the current pulses with the underlying free-precession orbits, and that the magnetization evolution remains coherent for more than 1 ns even at room temperature. Furthermore, we can selectively induce transitions along free-precession orbits and thereby manipulate the free magnetic moment motion. We expect this technique will be adopted for further elucidating the dynamics and dissipation processes in nanomagnets, and will provide an alternative for spin torque driven spintronic devices, such as resonantly pumping microwave oscillators, and ultimately, for efficient reversal of memory bits in magnetic random access memory (MRAM).