Nonuniform switching of the perpendicular magnetization in a spin-torque-driven magnetic nanopillar

Abstract

Time-resolved scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) measurements were performed to study the current-induced magnetization switching mechanism in nanopillars exhibiting strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). This technique provides both short time (70 ps) and high spatial (25 nm) resolution. Direct imaging of the magnetization demonstrates that, after an incubation time of {approx} 1.3 ns, a 100 x 300 nm{sup 2} ellipsoidal device switches in {approx} 1 ns via a central domain nucleation and opposite propagation of two domain walls towards the edges. High domain wall velocities on the order of 100m/s are measured. Micromagnetic simulations are shown to be in good agreement with experimental results and provide insight into magnetization dynamics during the incubation and reversal period.