A three-terminal spin-torque-driven magnetic switch

A three-terminal spin-torque-driven magnetic switch is experimentally demonstrated. The device uses nonlocal spin current and spin accumulation as the main mechanism for current-driven magnetic switching. It separates the current-induced write operation from that of a magnetic tunnel junction based read. The write current only passes through metallic structures, improving device reliability. The device structure makes efficient use of lithography capabilities, important for robust process integration.

[1]  E. Delenia,et al.  A Three-Terminal Approach to Developing Spin-Torque Written Magnetic Random Access Memory Cells , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology.

[2]  Eric E. Fullerton,et al.  Reducing the critical current for spin-transfer switching of perpendicularly magnetized nanomagnets , 2009 .

[3]  J. Katine,et al.  Current-induced magnetization reversal in nanopillars with perpendicular anisotropy , 2006, INTERMAG 2006 - IEEE International Magnetics Conference.

[4]  B. Diény,et al.  Current-induced magnetization switching in exchange-biased spin valves for current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance heads , 2006 .

[5]  T. Kimura,et al.  Switching magnetization of a nanoscale ferromagnetic particle using nonlocal spin injection. , 2006, Physical review letters.

[6]  Jonathan Z. Sun,et al.  Spin angular momentum transfer in a current-perpendicular spin-valve nanomagnet , 2004, SPIE OPTO.

[7]  J. Katine,et al.  Time-resolved reversal of spin-transfer switching in a nanomagnet. , 2004, Physical review letters.

[8]  Ralph,et al.  Current-driven magnetization reversal and spin-wave excitations in Co /Cu /Co pillars , 1999, Physical review letters.

[9]  Jonathan Z. Sun.  Current-driven magnetic switching in manganite trilayer junctions , 1999 .

[10]  Berger.  Emission of spin waves by a magnetic multilayer traversed by a current. , 1996, Physical review. B, Condensed matter.

[11]  J. Slonczewski.  Current-driven excitation of magnetic multilayers , 1996 .

[12]  Takashi Kimura,et al.  Giant spin-accumulation signal and pure spin-current-induced reversible magnetization switching , 2008 .

[13]  Jonathan Z. Sun,et al.  Spin angular momentum transfer in current-perpendicular nanomagnetic junctions , 2006, IBM J. Res. Dev..