Single current control of magnetization in vertical high-aspect-ratio nanopillars on in-plane magnetization layers

Abstract

Ferromagnetic pillars standing on a substrate hold promise for use in recording segments of multibit nonvolatile memories. These pillars exhibit high thermal stability in their magnetization owing to the influence of shape and perpendicular magnetic anisotropies. Recent micromagnetic simulations have demonstrated the feasibility of magnetization control in these pillars. Such control was achieved through the spin-transfer torque induced by the current flowing within the pillar and the spin-orbit torque generated by the current flowing through the heavy-metal lead at the bottom of the pillars. However, the presence of two current paths complicates circuit design, posing challenges in device integration. To solve this problem, we propose a new structure wherein a pillar is placed on a thin film with in-plane magnetization. When current flows through this structure, a torque is applied to the magnetization of the pillar, similar to that of the three-terminal structure. Magnetization reversal and control in the proposed structure were demonstrated using micromagnetic simulations. Specifically, magnetization reversal was achieved in a 100 nm-long permalloy pillar, whereas the magnetization corresponding to a three-bit sequence was generated in a 250 nm-long permalloy pillar. We propose two methods to control the magnetization of multibit memory. One method uses two different current intensities, whereas the other uses constant and pulsed currents of identical intensity. Notably, in the proposed structure, magnetization was controlled using only a unidirectional current. In particular, magnetization can be controlled with a pulsed current using a single current strength. This advancement will simplify the circuitry required to control magnetic memory, bringing the realization of magnetic memory devices closer to reality.