arXiv · 0907.3286
Current Driven tri-stable Resistance States in Magnetic Point Contacts
Abstract
Point contacts between normal and ferromagnetic metals are investigated using magneto-resistance and transport spectroscopy measurements combined with micromagnetic simulations. Pronounced hysteresis in the point-contact resistance versus both bias current and external magnetic field are observed. It is found that such hysteretic resistance can exhibit, in addition to bi-stable resistance states found in ordinary spin valves, tri-stable resistance states with a middle resistance level. We interpret these observation in terms of surface spin-valve and spin-vortex states, originating from a substantially modified spin structure at the ferromagnetic interface in contact core. We argue that these surface spin states, subject to a weakened exchange interaction, dominate the effects of spin transfer torques on the nanometer scale.
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I. K. Yanson, V. V. Fisun, Yu. G. Naidyuk, O. P. Balkashin, L. Yu. Triputen, A. Konovalenko, V. Korenivski. 2009-07-19. Current Driven tri-stable Resistance States in Magnetic Point Contacts. https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984%2F21%2F35%2F355004
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