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Current‐induced switching in spin‐valve structures
Author(s) -
Barnaś J.,
Gmitra M.,
Misiorny M.,
Dugaev V.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
physica status solidi (b)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1521-3951
pISSN - 0370-1972
DOI - 10.1002/pssb.200674602
Subject(s) - nanopillar , condensed matter physics , spin valve , spin (aerodynamics) , spin transfer torque , spin diffusion , electron , torque , spin polarization , spin magnetic moment , magnetic moment , thermal conduction , physics , spintronics , ferromagnetism , magnetoresistance , magnetic field , quantum mechanics , magnetization , nanostructure , thermodynamics
Spin transfer between conduction electrons and local magnetic moments can switch spin valves between different magnetic configurations. In some conditions, however, the spin torque can induce magnetic switching to stationary precessional modes. In this paper we consider current‐induced magnetic switching in nanopillar spin valves including two thin magnetic films separated by a nonmagnetic layer, and in molecular‐based spin valves. In the former case the spin torque is calculated from the macroscopic spin diffusion equations, while in the latter one we use quantum description based on the Fermi golden rule. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)