Macrospin modeling of sub-ns pulse switching of perpendicularly magnetized free layer via spin-orbit torques for cryogenic memory applications

Abstract

We model, using the macrospin approximation, the magnetic reversal of a perpendicularly magnetized nanostructured free layer formed on a normal, heavy-metal nanostrip, subjected to spin-orbit torques (SOTs) generated by short (≤0.5 ns) current pulses applied to the nanostrip, to examine the potential for SOT-based fast, efficient cryogenic memory. Due to thermal fluctuations, if solely an anti-damping torque is applied, then, for a device with sufficiently low anisotropy (Hanis0 ∼ 1 kOe) suitable for application in cryogenic memory, a high magnetic damping parameter (α∼0.1−0.2) is required for reliable switching over a significant variation of pulse current. The additional presence of a substantial field-like torque improves switching reliability even for low damping (α≤0.03).

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Sep 08, 2014
Source ID
10.1063/1.4895581

Entities

People

  • D. C. Ralph
  • G. E. Rowlands
  • Junbo Park
  • O. J. Lee
  • R. A. Buhrman

Organizations

  • Cornell University
  • Office of Naval Research

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster