Single-shot time-domain studies of spin-torque-driven switching in
  magnetic tunnel junctions

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Abstract

We report single-shot measurements of resistance versus time for thermally assisted spin-torque-driven switching in magnetic tunnel junctions. We achieve sufficient sensitivity to resolve the resistance signals leading up to switching, including the variations between individual switching events. Analyses of pre-switching thermal fluctuations allow detailed measurements of coherence times and variations in magnetization precession amplitude. We find that with a small in-plane hard-axis magnetic field the magnetization dynamics are more spatially coherent than for the case of zero field.

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Most cited references 7

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Spin-torque influence on the high-frequency magnetization fluctuations in magnetic tunnel junctions.

S. Petit, C Baraduc, C Thirion … (2007)

Voltage noise measurements were performed in the 3-7 GHz frequency range on magnetic tunnel junctions biased with a dc current. Magnetic noise associated with ferromagnetic resonance excitations is either amplified or reduced depending on the direction of the bias current. This effect is interpreted as the influence of spin transfer torque on the magnetization fluctuations and described using Gilbert dynamics equation including spin transfer torque and effective field terms.

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Single-shot time-resolved measurements of nanosecond-scale spin-transfer induced switching: stochastic versus deterministic aspects.

H. Takahashi, Pier K. R. K. Ito, J Hayakawa … (2008)

Using high bandwidth resistance measurements, we study the single-shot response of tunnel junctions subjected to spin torque pulses. After the pulse onset, the switching proceeds by a ns-scale incubation delay during which the resistance is quiet, followed by a 400 ps transition terminated by a large ringing that is damped progressively. While the incubation delay fluctuates significantly, the resistance traces are reproducible once this delay is passed. After switching, the time-resolved resistance traces indicate micromagnetic configurations that are rather spatially coherent.

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Time-resolved imaging of spin transfer switching: beyond the macrospin concept.

Mark Strachan, Katja C Siegmann, T. Tyliszczak … (2006)

Time-resolved images of the magnetization switching process in a spin transfer structure, obtained by ultrafast x-ray microscopy, reveal the limitations of the macrospin model. Instead of a coherent magnetization reversal, we observe switching by lateral motion of a magnetic vortex across a nanoscale element. Our measurements reveal the fundamental roles played independently by the torques due to charge and spin currents in breaking the magnetic symmetry on picosecond time scales.