Binary switching in a symmetric potential landscape

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that binary switching can occur in a symmetric potential landscape without tilting, leveraging full three-dimensional dynamics, challenging the traditional requirement of asymmetry for switching.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism for switching in symmetric potentials by utilizing full 3D dynamics, eliminating the need for potential tilting.

Findings

Switching can occur without potential tilt in symmetric landscapes.

Full 3D dynamics facilitate switching despite thermal noise.

Theoretical demonstration in electric field-induced magnetization switching.

Abstract

The general methodology of binary switching requires tilting of potential landscape along the desired direction of switching. The tilt generates a torque along the direction of switching and the degree of tilt should be sufficient enough to beat thermal agitations with a tolerable error probability. However, we show here that such tilt is not necessary. Considering the full three-dimensional motion, we point out that the built-in dynamics can facilitate switching without requiring any asymmetry in potential landscape even in the presence of thermal noise. With experimentally feasible parameters, we theoretically demonstrate such intriguing possibility in electric field-induced magnetization switching of a magnetostrictive nanomagnet.