Reduction in critical current of current induced switching in an inhomogeneous nanomagnet

Abstract

We report low current-density switching of pseudospin valve nanopillars fabricated by a three-dimensional focused ion beam lithography. Simulations using the Landau–Liftshitz–Gilbert equation with Slonczewski spin transfer torque term demonstrate that magnetostatic coupling combined with an in-plane applied field results in a strongly inhomogeneous magnetization, which is close to the point of switching in both parallel and antiparallel configurations and so significantly reduced switching currents are possible.