Efficient current-induced magnetization reversal in metallic nanostructures

Samples of metallic thin-film nanostructures consisting of ferromagnetic (FM) and heavy metal (HM) layers were fabricated using magnetron sputtering techniques, and current-carrying structures with locally enhanced current density were formed. The energy of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and the current density required for magnetization reversal of the structures were determined from magnetic and transport measurements. Modeling of the specific resistance and current flowing through the nanostructure layers responsible for generating spin current was performed. It was shown that all samples exhibit a magnetic response to current flow due to the Hall spin effect. The specific current-induced field parameters and the efficiency of current-induced switching were determined for the obtained nanostructures, as well as their dependence on the type of HM and the thickness of the FM layer. The results of this work are of interest for studying transport effects in multilayer structures and developing methods for controlling spin textures to create new memory and computing devices.