Current-driven excitation of magnetic multilayers

A new mechanism is proposed for exciting the magnetic state of a ferromagnet. Assuming ballistic conditions and using WKB wave functions, we predict that a transfer of vectorial spin accompanies an electric current flowing perpendicular to two parallel magnetic films connected by a normal metallic s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials 1996, Vol.159 (1), p.L1-L7
Main Author: Slonczewski, J.C.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:A new mechanism is proposed for exciting the magnetic state of a ferromagnet. Assuming ballistic conditions and using WKB wave functions, we predict that a transfer of vectorial spin accompanies an electric current flowing perpendicular to two parallel magnetic films connected by a normal metallic spacer. This spin transfer drives motions of the two magnetization vectors within their instantaneously common plane. Consequent new mesoscopic precession and switching phenomena with potential applications are predicted.
ISSN:0304-8853
DOI:10.1016/0304-8853(96)00062-5