We demonstrate magnetization switching of a perpendicularly magnetized MgO/Co/Pt trilayer by application of an in-plane current and a constant in-plane magnetic field of small amplitude. Switching occurs due to an effective torque generated by spin-orbit coupling intrinsic to the trilayer structure. We investigate the dependence of the critical switching current on the current pulse width, showing that magnetization reversal in the dc limit is assisted by thermal fluctuations.

Topics
Hall effect, Ferromagnetic materials, Magnetic anisotropy, Magnetic materials, Spin-transfer-torque, Magnetic tunnel junctions, Magnetic fields, Thermodynamic states and processes, Thermal fluctuations, Spin-orbit interactions
© 2012 American Institute of Physics.
2012
American Institute of Physics
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