Magnetization switching by microwaves initially rotating in opposite direction to precession

Abstract

A common understanding of magnetization switching in microwave-assisted magnetization reversal is that the rotation direction of the microwaves should be the same as the precession direction of the magnetization. In this letter, however, we show that microwaves initially rotating opposite to the magnetization precession destabilize the magnetization at an equilibrium and induce switching more efficiently when the microwave frequency depends on time. This argument is analytically deduced from an energy balance equation. We also establish a model satisfying this condition and confirm magnetization switching solely by microwaves by using numerical simulation.