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Diffusive spin-transfer: A stochastic derivation of the critical current

  • Laboratoire des Solides Irradiés

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the relevance of the a non-equilibrium stochastic approach in the context of spin-transfer mechanism. Spin-transfer is the generic name for the effect of magnetization reversal (or magnetic excitation) produced by the injection of a spin-polarized current in a ferromagnetic layer. Deterministic vs. stochastic approaches are first defined in the context of the Landau-Lifshitz Gilbert equation of the magnetization. We then present a model based on non-equilibrium thermodynamics in which the spin-accumulation at the interface appears as a diffusion term in the Landau-Lifshitz equation. The expression of the critical current Ic is derived from this diffusive process and compared to the experimental results. Due to the definition of the critical current in terms of activation process, the phenomenological expression of Ic is identical to that derived in the deterministic case, after introducing an "efficiency parameter". Only the specific form of this efficiency parameter allows one to discriminate between the different models. The direct link to the integral of the magnetoresistance of the junction derived here allows some highly specific behaviour to be predicted.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpintronics
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Nov 2008
EventSpintronics - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: 10 Aug 200814 Aug 2008

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7036
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceSpintronics
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period10/08/0814/08/08

Keywords

  • Giant magnetoresistance
  • Magnetic nanostructures
  • Spin accumulation
  • Spin transfer

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