Studies of dc Current-Driven Switching in Py/N/Py magnetic nanopillars

TL;DR

This paper investigates current-driven magnetic switching in Py/N/Py nanopillars at different temperatures, revealing how spin-flip scattering affects hysteresis, with implications for magnetic device control.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on Py-based nanopillars, extending understanding of current-driven switching and the effects of spin-flip scattering at room temperature and 4.2K.

Findings

Spin-flip scattering eliminates hysteretic switching.

Data confirms prior results for coupled and uncoupled samples.

Temperature influences switching behavior.

Abstract

We provide new data on current-driven switching in Permalloy (Py = Ni84Fe16) based nanopillars at room temperature and 4.2K that confirm and extend previously published work. We present data for both uncoupled and antiferromagnetically coupled samples. The latter confirm prior results for Co/Cu/Co. We show that inserting sufficiently strong spin-flip-scattering into the Cu layer eliminates hysteretic current-driven switching. This result may have ramifications for understanding current-driven switching.