Frequency and Speed of Action of a Spin Valve with Planar Layer Anisotropy

Abstract

The dynamics of the magnetization vector of the free layer of a layered spin-valve structure has been simulated. As materials for a free and fixed layer, we have considered six magnetically soft ferromagnets with planar anisotropy. The types of magnetization dynamics being of practical interest for MRAM and HMDD (magnetization vector switching), STNO (stable precession of the magnetization vector), and the PSL base element (magnetization vector switching with two probable results) are allocated. The ranges of currents and fields corresponding to these operating modes of a spin valve are calculated. The numerical calculations of the switching time showed that of the materials considered, the most suitable for a MRAM cell is the Co80Gd20 alloy and Fe60Co20B20 for the HMDD reading head. As a result of calculating the frequency of precession, it was concluded that the Fe60Co20B20 alloy is optimal in manufacturing STNO ferromagnetic layers. For PSL implementation, the best switching characteristics were obtained for Co93Gd7 alloy.