Minimum Field Requirements for Spin-Polarized Current Assisted Switching of Magnetization in Nanostructures with Uniaxial Anisotropy

Abstract

The present paradigm of magnetic data storage is approaching its fundamental limits for areal storage density, as well as for speed in data processing. As a result, several magnetic recording alternatives, such as spin polarized current assisted recording, precessional switching, toggle switching, heat assisted recording are currently under intense research efforts. This article is aimed at providing a pertinent theoretical analysis of the spin polarized current assisted recording, emphasizing its performance with respect to minimum requirements for switching field. The first analytical derivation of the critical field curve in the presence of spin polarized currents is presented and the results are compared to the classical Stoner-Wohlfarth astroid. The analysis is performed under the framework of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski equation for describing the magnetization dynamics driven by external magnetic fields and spin polarized currents.

Keywords

• magnetic memory
• spintronics
• Landau-Lifshitz equation
• bifurcation theory