Spin Transfer Torques by Point-Contact Spin injection

Published

August 24, 2009

Author(s)

Tingyong Chen, Yi Ji, S X. Huang, C L. Chien, Mark D. Stiles

Abstract

Spin-transfer torques (STT) provide a new mechanism to alter the magnetic configuration in magnetic heterostructures, a feat previously only achieved by an external magnetic field. A current flowing perpendicular through a noncollinear magnetic spin structure can induce torques on the magnetization because an electron carries angular momentum, or spin, part of which can be transferred to the magnetic layer as a torque. A spin-polarized current of a very high current density (e.g., 106 A/cm2 to 108 A/cm2) is required to observe the effect of the spin transfer torques. Consequently, switching by spin-polarized currents is typically observed in structures with sub-micron cross sections made by nanolithography. Here we demonstrate spin transfer torque effects using point-contact spin injection involving no lithography. In a continuous Co/Cu/Co trilayer, we have observed hysteretic reversal of sub-100 nm magnetic elements by spin injection through a metal tip both at low temperature and at room temperature. A small magnetic domain underneath the tip in the top Co layer can be manipulated to align parallel or anti-parallel to the bottom Co layer. In an exchange-biased single ferromagnetic layer, we have observed a new form of STT effect which we interpret as the inverse effect of domain wall magnetoresistance. We further show that in granular solids, the STT effect that can induce a large spin disorder when combined with a large magnetic field. As a result, we have obtained a spectacular MR effect in excess of 400 %, the largest ever reported in any metallic systems.

Citation

SPIE proceedings series

Volume

7398

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Spin-transfer torque, point-contact spectroscopy, giant-magnetoresistance, exchange bias, granular films

Citation

Chen, T. , Ji, Y. , Huang, S. , Chien, C. and Stiles, M. (2009), Spin Transfer Torques by Point-Contact Spin injection, SPIE proceedings series, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=903458 (Accessed October 14, 2025)