Effects of Intrinsic Spin-Relaxation in Molecular Magnets on Current-Induced Magnetic Switching

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates how intrinsic spin relaxation affects current-induced magnetic switching in a single magnetic molecule, showing that spin-polarized current can still switch the molecule's magnetic moment despite relaxation effects.

Contribution

It demonstrates that spin-polarized current can induce magnetic switching in molecules even with intrinsic spin relaxation, and quantifies how relaxation raises the switching threshold.

Findings

Spin-polarized current can switch molecular magnetic moments.

Intrinsic spin relaxation increases the threshold voltage for switching.

Magnetic switching remains possible despite relaxation effects.

Abstract

Current-induced magnetic switching of a single magnetic molecule attached to two ferromagnetic contacts is considered theoretically, with the main emphasis put on the role of intrinsic spin relaxation processes. It is shown that spin-polarized current can switch magnetic moment of the molecule, despite of the intrinsic spin relaxation in the molecule. The latter processes increase the threshold voltage (current) above which the switching takes place.