Dependence of the Intrinsic Spin Transfer Switching Current Density on the Size of Elliptical Spin Valves

Published

July 2, 2008

Author(s)

Ranko R. Heindl, Stephen E. Russek, Thomas J. Silva, William H. Rippard, Jordan A. Katine

Abstract

We studied current induced magnetization reversal in elliptical spin valves with CoFeB free layers. The data obtained from high-speed pulsed switching experiments, where the pulse widths were varied from 0.1 to 5 ns, showed differences in the intrinsic switching current density for devices of different sizes and aspect ratios. The values of the intrinsic switching currents as well as their dependence on size and shape can not be adequately explained by a single domain model. Experimental values for the intrinsic switching current densities were 50% to 100% higher than predicted by a single domain model. Micromagnetic simulations reveal a complex behavior of magnetization switching in which end mode oscillations are important and indicate that the switching current density is dependent on the device dimensions. Experimental values for the intrinsic switching current density agree with those predicted by micromagnetic simulations.

Citation

Applied Physics Letters

Volume

92

Issue

26

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Current induced magnetization reversal, spin valve, MRAM, micromagnetic modeling

Citation

Heindl, R. , Russek, S. , Silva, T. , Rippard, W. and Katine, J. (2008), Dependence of the Intrinsic Spin Transfer Switching Current Density on the Size of Elliptical Spin Valves, Applied Physics Letters, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=32989 (Accessed October 8, 2025)