Regensburg 2010 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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MA: Fachverband Magnetismus

MA 22: Spin Dynamics / Spin Torque III

MA 22.8: Vortrag

Donnerstag, 25. März 2010, 11:30–11:45, H10

Heat assisted Spin Torque Switching of Nanomagnets by SP-STM — •Gabriela Herzog, Stefan Krause, Anika Emmenegger, and Roland Wiesendanger — Institute of Applied Physics, University of Hamburg, Germany

Recently it has been shown that spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM) can be applied to manipulate magnetization switching of individual thermal agitaded nano-islands by the injection of elevated spin-polarized tunnel currents [1].

The open question remained whether it is possible to manipulate the static magnetization of nanostructures with a SP-STM. We demonstrate the capability of current-induced magnetization switching of quasistable nanostructures. Therefore in-plane magnetized uniaxial Fe monolayer nano-islands on W(110) were prepared. Using spin-polarized tunnel current pulses originating from the microscope tip the magnetization of individual nano-islands is switched reliably and reversibly. We find the current pulse length to be of crucial importance for magnetization reversal, and by changing pulse polarity we ascertain the roles of both Joule heating and spin torque.

[1] S. Krause et al., Science 317, 1537 (2007).