Field-like Spin-transfer Torque Research Articles

Magnetodynamics in orthogonal nanocontact spin-torque nano-oscillators based on magnetic tunnel junctions

We demonstrate field and current controlled magnetodynamics in nanocontact spin-torque nano-oscillators based on orthogonal magnetic tunnel junctions. We systematically analyze the microwave properties (frequency f, linewidth Δf, power P, and frequency tunability df/dI) with their physical origins—perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, dampinglike and fieldlike spin transfer torque (STT), and voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA). These devices present several advantageous characteristics: high emission frequencies (f>20 GHz), high frequency tunability (df/dI=0.25 GHz/mA), and zero-field operation (f∼4 GHz). Furthermore, detailed investigation of f(H, I) reveals that df/dI is mostly governed by the large VCMA [287 fJ/(V m)], while STT plays a negligible role.

Macrospin analysis of RF excitations within fully perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions with second order easy-axis magnetic anisotropy contribution

The conditions of field and voltage for inducing steady state excitations in fully perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (pMTJs), adapted for memory applications, were numerically investigated by the resolution of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation in the macrospin approach. Both damping-like and the field-like spin transfer torque terms were taken into account in the simulations, as well as the contribution of the second order uniaxial anisotropy term (K2), which has been recently revealed in MgO-based pMTJs. An in-plane applied magnetic field balances the out of plane symmetry of the pMTJ and allows the signal detection. Using this model, we assessed the states of the free layer magnetization as a function of strength of K2 and polar θH angle of the applied field (varied from 90° to 60°). There are two stable states, with the magnetization in-plane or out of plane of the layer, and two dynamic states with self-sustained oscillations, called in-plane precession state (IPP) or out of plane precession state (OPP). The IPP mode, with oscillation frequencies up to 7 GHz, appears only for positive voltages if θH = 90°. However, it shows a more complex distribution when the field is slightly tilted out of plane. The OPP mode is excited only if K2 is considered and reaches a maximum oscillation frequency of 15 GHz. Large areas of dynamic states with high frequencies are obtained for strong values of the field-like torque and K2, when applying a slightly tilted external field toward the out of plane direction. The non-zero temperature does not modify the phase diagrams but reduces drastically the power spectral density peak amplitudes.

Spin torques and magnetic texture dynamics driven by the supercurrent in superconductor/ferromagnet structures

We introduce the general formalism to describe spin torques induced by the supercurrents injected from the adjacent superconducting electrodes into the spin-textured ferromagnets. By considering the adiabatic limit for the equal-spin superconducting correlations in the ferromagnet we show that the supercurrent can generate both the field-like spin transfer torque and the spin-orbital torque. These dissipationless spin torques are expressed through the current-induced corrections to the effective field derived from the system energy. The general formalism is applied to show that the supercurrent can either shift or move the magnetic domain walls depending on their structure and the type of spin-orbital interaction in the system. These results can be used for the prediction and interpretation of the experiments studying magnetic texture dynamics in superconductor/ferromagnet/superconductor Josephson junctions and other hybrid structures.

Bias dependence of spin transfer torque in Co2MnSi Heusler alloy based magnetic tunnel junctions

Heusler compounds are of interest as electrode materials for use in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) due to their half metallic character, which leads to 100% spin polarization and high tunneling magnetoresistance. Most work to date has focused on the improvements to tunneling magnetoresistance that can stem from the use of Heusler electrodes, while there is much less work investigating the influence of Heusler electrodes on the spin transfer torque properties of MTJs. Here, we investigate the bias dependence of the anti-damping like and field-like spin transfer torque components in both symmetric (Co2MnSi/MgO/Co2MnSi) and asymmetric (Co2MnSi/MgO/CoFe) structure Heusler based MTJs using spin transfer torque ferromagnetic resonance. We find that while the damping like torque is linear with respect to bias for both MTJ structures, the asymmetric MTJ structure has an additional linear component to the ordinarily quadratic field like torque bias dependence and that these results can be accounted for by a free electron tunneling model. Furthermore, our results suggest that the low damping and low saturation magnetization properties of Heusler alloys are more likely to lead significant improvements to spin torque switching efficiency rather than their half metallic character.

Current-driven non-linear magnetodynamics in exchange-biased spin valves

This work investigates the excitation of parametric resonance in exchange-biased spin valves (EBSVs). Using a mechanical point contact, high density dc and microwave currents were injected into the EBSV sample. Observing the reflected microwave power and the small rectification voltage that develops across the contact allows detecting the current-driven magnetodynamics not only in the bulk sample but originating exclusively from the small contact region. In addition to ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), parametric resonance at twice the natural FMR frequency was observed. In contrast to FMR, this non-linear resonance was excited only in the vicinity of the point contact where current densities are high. Power-dependent measurements displayed a typical threshold-like behavior of parametric resonance and a broadening of the instability region with increasing power. Parametric resonance showed a linear shift as a function of applied dc bias which is consistent with the field-like spin-transfer torque induced by current on magnetic moments in EBSV.

Current-induced switching of magnetic tunnel junctions: Effects of field-like spin-transfer torque, pinned-layer magnetization orientation, and temperature

We study current-induced switching in magnetic tunnel junctions in the presence of a field-like spin-transfer torque and titled pinned-layer magnetization in the high current limit at finite temperature. We consider both the Slonczewski and field-like torques with coefficients aJ and bJ, respectively. At finite temperatures, σ=bJ/aJ=±1 leads to a smaller mean switching time compared that with σ=0. The reduction of switching time in the presence of the field-like term is due to the alignment effect (for σ>0) and the initial torque effect.

Current-driven domain wall dynamics in spin-valve nanostrips with parallel, perpendicular, and tilted polarizers

Current-driven domain wall dynamics is studied theoretically in the spin-valve nanostrips with parallel, perpendicular and tilted polarizers by Lagrangian formalism. In this description, the Slonczewski and field-like spin-transfer torques act as a Coulomb-type dissipation and an effective magnetic field, respectively. Considering a Walker profile, the wall behavior is governed by the dynamic equations about the center position, the out-of-plane angle, and the width of walls. It is found that the wall precesses after the steady motion breaks down for the parallel polarizer. The field-like spin-transfer torque favors a rapid increase of the steady velocity. The average velocity in the precession is nearly proportional to the current density. On the other hand, there is no precession for the perpendicular and tilted polarizers. Under the perpendicular polarizer, the wall stops when increasing current density. Moreover, there exist hysteresis and tri-stability for a large spin polarization. Under the tilted polarizer, it can be observed hysteretic, linear and nonlinear dependence of the wall velocity on the increasing current density. In the hysteresis, the wall experiences a switching of polarity or a reversal of motion.

Field-Like spin-transfer torque in a chiral helimagnet

Based on the microscopic model of sd coupling between free electrons and local moments, we present a quantum calculation of a nonadiabatic spin-transfer torque in a chiral helimagnet.

Macrospin model to explain the absence of preswitching oscillations in magnetic tunnel junctions: Fieldlike spin-transfer torque

We show that the absence of preswitching oscillations (``incubation delay'') in magnetic tunnel junctions can be explained within the macrospin model by a sizable fieldlike component of the spin-transfer torque. It is further suggested that measurements of the voltage dependence of tunnel junction switching time in the presence of external easy axis magnetic fields can be used to determine the magnitude and voltage dependence of the fieldlike torque.