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Current-driven magnetic excitations in permalloy-based multilayer nanopillars.
S Urazhdin1, Norman O Birge, W P Pratt
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Center for Fundamental Materials Research and Center for Sensor Materials, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|November 13, 2003
Summary
We investigated current-driven magnetization switching in nickel-iron/copper trilayers at different temperatures. Results reveal temperature-dependent switching behaviors and thermal activation effects influencing magnetic dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Spintronics
Background:
- Current-driven magnetization switching is crucial for magnetic memory devices.
- Understanding temperature effects on magnetic switching is essential for device reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate current-driven magnetization switching in NiFe/Cu/NiFe trilayers at 295 K and 4.2 K.
- To analyze the temperature dependence of hysteretic switching diagrams and associated phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Ni(84)Fe(16)/Cu/Ni(84)Fe16 trilayer structures.
- Electrical transport measurements at 295 K and 4.2 K.
- Analysis of hysteretic switching diagrams and differential resistance peaks.
Main Results:
- The switching diagram shape at low magnetic fields varies with temperature.
- A threshold current for magnetic excitations correlates with switching current.
- Differential resistance exhibits telegraph noise, with period dependent on current and temperature.
Conclusions:
- Both static and dynamic results are explained by thermal activation over a potential barrier.
- A current-dependent effective magnetic temperature model describes the observed phenomena.
- Temperature significantly influences magnetization switching dynamics in these trilayers.