Angular dependence of spin-transfer switching in a magnetic nanostructure

Abstract

We measured switching of a thin film nanomagnet driven by spin-polarized current in giant magnetoresistance spin valves as small as 50 nm×100 nm. Spin-transfer reversal is observed in both dc current and magnetic field sweeps, with a switching current of ∼5 mA, for example, for a bit with ∼900 Oe switching field in zero current. We studied the dependence of spin-transfer switching on the relative angle φ between the layer magnetizations by using a magnetic field to orient the magnetization of a bulk magnetic layer at an angle to a patterned layer held in place by shape anisotropy. The critical current is a minimum for collinear magnetizations and diverges as 1/|cos φ| as φ increases to 90°, consistent with switching current calculations using the Slonczewski spin-transfer torque model.