Scattering theory of charge-current–induced magnetization dynamics

In ferromagnets, charge currents can excite magnons via the spin-orbit coupling. We develop a novel and general scattering theory of charge-current–induced macrospin magnetization torques in normal metal|ferromagnet|normal metal layers. We apply the formalism to a dirty GaAs|(Ga, Mn)As|GaAs system....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Europhysics letters 2010-05, Vol.90 (4), p.47002
Main Authors: Hals, K. M. D, Brataas, A, Tserkovnyak, Y
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
75.50.Pp
75.78.-n
85.75.-d
Charge
Dynamics
Excitation
Ferromagnetism
Joining
Magnetization
Magnons
Scattering
Spin waves
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Summary:In ferromagnets, charge currents can excite magnons via the spin-orbit coupling. We develop a novel and general scattering theory of charge-current–induced macrospin magnetization torques in normal metal|ferromagnet|normal metal layers. We apply the formalism to a dirty GaAs|(Ga, Mn)As|GaAs system. By computing the charge-current–induced magnetization torques and solving the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation, we find magnetization switching for current densities as low as 5 × 106 A/cm2. Our results are in agreement with a recent experimental observation of charge-current–induced magnetization switching in (Ga, Mn)As.
ISSN:0295-5075
1286-4854
DOI:10.1209/0295-5075/90/47002