Current-induced magnetization reversal in high magnetic fields in Co/Cu/Co nanopillars

Current-induced magnetization dynamics in Co/Cu/Co trilayer nanopillars (approximately 100 nm in diameter) have been studied experimentally at low temperatures for large applied fields perpendicular to the layers. At 4.2 K an abrupt and hysteretic increase in resistance is observed at high current densities for one polarity of the current, comparable to the giant magnetoresistance effect observed at low fields. A micromagnetic model that includes a spin-transfer torque suggests that the current induces a complete reversal of the thin Co layer to alignment antiparallel to the applied field--that is, to a state of maximum magnetic energy.