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PUBLICATIONS

Ab Initio Studies of the Spin-Transfer Torque in Tunnel Junctions

Published

Author(s)

Christian Heiliger, Mark D. Stiles

Abstract

We calculate the spin-transfer torque in Fe/MgO/Fe tunnel junctions and analyze the results in comparison to all-metallic junctions. We show that the spin-transfer torque is interfacial in the ferromagnetic layer to a greater degree than in spin-valve systems. This result originates in the half metallic behavior of Fe for the Δ sub 1 states at the Brillouin zone center; in contrast to all-metallic structures dephasing does not play an important role. We further show that it is possible to get a component of the torque that is out of the plane of the magnetizations and which is linear in the bias. However, observation of such a torque requires highly ideal samples.
Citation
Physical Review Letters
Volume
100
Issue
18
Pub Type
Journals

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Keywords

electronic structure, Fe/MgO/Fe, magnetic random access memory, magnetotransport, spin transfer torque, tunnel junctions
Nanomagnetics

Citation

Heiliger, C. and Stiles, M. (2008), Ab Initio Studies of the Spin-Transfer Torque in Tunnel Junctions, Physical Review Letters, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=620023 (Accessed October 22, 2025)

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Created May 9, 2008, Updated February 19, 2017
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