Spin-orbit torque-driven magnetization switching and thermal effects studied in Ta\CoFeB\MgO nanowires
- Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg Universität-Mainz, Staudinger Weg 7, 55128 Mainz (Germany)
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT (United Kingdom)
We demonstrate magnetization switching in out-of-plane magnetized Ta\CoFeB\MgO nanowires by current pulse injection along the nanowires, both with and without a constant and uniform magnetic field collinear to the current direction. We deduce that an effective torque arising from spin-orbit effects in the multilayer drives the switching mechanism. While the generation of a component of the magnetization along the current direction is crucial for the switching to occur, we observe that even without a longitudinal field thermally generated magnetization fluctuations can lead to switching. Analysis using a generalized Néel-Brown model enables key parameters of the thermally induced spin-orbit torques-driven switching process to be estimated, such as the attempt frequency and the effective energy barrier.
- OSTI ID:
- 22350753
- Journal Information:
- Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 105, Issue 12; Other Information: (c) 2014 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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