Effect of spin polarized current on magnetic phase transition of ordered FeRh wires

Abstract

We report on spin polarized current injection from Co wires into a B2-ordered FeRh wire, which shows the magnetic phase transition from the antiferromagnetic (AF) state to the ferromagnetic state at 370 K. Current–voltage characteristics of a Co/FeRh wires junction sample show a marked feature in the AF state below 380 K, while the feature disappears above 380 K, indicating that the noticeable feature is associated with the antiferromanetic–ferromagnetic phase transition induced by the spin polarized current injection into the FeRh wire. We attribute the spin polarized current induced phase transition to a possible modulation of the s-d exchange interaction arising from the spin polarization of itinerant electrons and Rh atoms in the FeRh wire.