Barkhausen-like antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition driven by spin polarized current
- Materials and Structures Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503 (Japan)
We provide clear evidence for the effect of a spin polarized current on the antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition of an FeRh wire at Co/FeRh wire junctions, where the antiferromagnetic ground state of FeRh is suppressed by injecting a spin polarized current. We find a discrete change in the current-voltage characteristics with increasing current density, which we attribute to the Barkhausen-like motion of antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic interfaces within the FeRh wire. The effect can be understood via spin transfer, which exerts a torque to the antiferromagnetic moments of FeRh, together with non-equilibrium magnetic effective field at the interface. The conclusion is reinforced by the fact that spin unpolarized current injection from a nonmagnetic Cu electrode has no effects on the antiferromagnetic state of FeRh.
- OSTI ID:
- 22489166
- Journal Information:
- Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 107, Issue 8; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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