arXiv subjects

Robert A. Buhrman

Publications and source records attributed to Robert A. Buhrman.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Nanosecond magnetization dynamics during spin Hall switching of in-plane magnetic tunnel junctions

We present a study of the magnetic dynamics associated with nanosecond scale magnetic switching driven by the spin Hall effect in 3-terminal nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions (3T-MTJs) with in-plane magnetization. Utilizing fast pulse measurements in a variety of material stacks and detailed micromagnetic simulations, we demonstrate that this unexpectedly fast and reliable magnetic reversal is facilitated by the self-generated Oersted field, and the short-pulse energy efficiency can be substantially enhanced by micromagnetic curvature in the magnetic free layer. The sign of the Oersted field is essential for this enhancement --- in simulations in which we artificially impose a field-like torque with a sign opposite to the effect of the Oersted field, the result is a much slower and stochastic switching process that is reminiscent of the so-called incubation delay in conventional 2-terminal spin-torque-switched MTJs.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Nanosecond-timescale low error switching of in-plane magnetic tunnel junctions through dynamic Oersted-field assisted spin-Hall effect

We investigate fast-pulse switching of in-plane-magnetized magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) within 3-terminal devices in which spin-transfer torque is applied to the MTJ by the giant spin Hall effect. We measure reliable switching, with write error rates down to $10^{-5}$, using current pulses as short as just 2 ns in duration. This represents the fastest reliable switching reported to date for any spin-torque-driven magnetic memory geometry, and corresponds to a characteristic time scale that is significantly shorter than predicted possible within a macrospin model for in-plane MTJs subject to thermal fluctuations at room temperature. Using micromagnetic simulations, we show that in the 3-terminal spin-Hall devices the Oersted magnetic field generated by the pulse current strongly modifies the magnetic dynamics excited by the spin-Hall torque, enabling this unanticipated performance improvement. Our results suggest that in-plane MTJs controlled by Oersted-field-assisted spin-Hall torque are a promising candidate for both cache memory applications requiring high speed and for cryogenic memories requiring low write energies.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Traveling surface spin-wave resonance spectroscopy using surface acoustic waves

Coherent gigahertz-frequency surface acoustic waves (SAWs) traveling on the surface of a piezoelectric crystal can, via the magnetoelastic interaction, resonantly excite traveling spin waves in an adjacent thin-film ferromagnet. These excited spin waves, traveling with a definite in-plane wave-vector q enforced by the SAW, can be detected by measuring changes in the electro-acoustical transmission of a SAW delay line. Here, we provide a first demonstration that such measurements constitute a precise and quantitative technique for spin-wave spectroscopy, providing a means to determine both isotropic and anisotropic contributions to the spin-wave dispersion and damping. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this spectroscopic technique by measuring the spin-wave properties of a Ni thin film for a large range of wave vectors,q = 2.5 x 10^4 - 8 x 10^4 cm^(-1), over which anisotropic dipolar interactions vary from being negligible to quite significant.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Current Control of Magnetic Anisotropy via Stress in a Ferromagnetic Metal Waveguide

We demonstrate that in-plane charge current can effectively control the spin precession resonance in an Al2O3/CoFeB/Ta heterostructure. Brillouin Light Scattering (BLS) was used to detect the ferromagnetic resonance field under microwave excitation of spin waves at fixed frequencies. The current control of spin precession resonance originates from modification of the in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy field H_k, which changes symmetrically with respect to the current direction. Numerical simulation suggests that the anisotropic stress introduced by Joule heating plays an important role in controlling H_k. These results provide new insights into current manipulation of magnetic properties and have broad implications for spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

A Critical Analysis of the Feasibility of Pure Strain-Actuated Giant Magnetostrictive Nanoscale Memories

Concepts for memories based on the manipulation of giant magnetostrictive nanomagnets by stress pulses have garnered recent attention due to their potential for ultra-low energy operation in the high storage density limit. Here we discuss the feasibility of making such memories in light of the fact that the Gilbert damping of such materials is typically quite high. We report the results of numerical simulations for several classes of toggle precessional and non-toggle dissipative magnetoelastic switching modes. Material candidates for each of the several classes are analyzed and forms for the anisotropy energy density and ranges of material parameters appropriate for each material class are employed. Our study indicates that the Gilbert damping as well as the anisotropy and demagnetization energies are all crucial for determining the feasibility of magnetoelastic toggle-mode precessional switching schemes. The roles of thermal stability and thermal fluctuations for stress-pulse switching of giant magnetostrictive nanomagnets are also discussed in detail and are shown to be important in the viability, design, and footprint of magnetostrictive switching schemes.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Thickness-Dependent Magnetoelasticity and its Effects on Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy in Ta|CoFeB|MgO Thin Films

We report measurements of the in-plane magnetoelastic coupling in ultra-thin Ta|CoFeB|MgO layers as a function of uniaxial strain, conducted using a four-point bending apparatus. For annealed samples, we observe a strong dependence on the thickness of the CoFeB layer in the range 1.3-2.0 nm, which can be modeled as arising from a combination of effective surface and volume contributions to the magnetoelastic coupling. We point out that if similar thickness dependence exists for magnetoelastic coupling in response to biaxial strain, then the standard Néel model for the magnetic anisotropy energy acquires a term inversely proportional to the magnetic layer thickness. This contribution can significantly change the overall magnetic anisotropy, and provides a natural explanation for the strongly nonlinear dependence of magnetic anisotropy energy on magnetic layer thickness that is commonly observed for ultrathin annealed CoFeB|MgO films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Enhancement of the Anti-Damping Spin Torque Efficacy of Platinum by Interface Modification

We report a strong enhancement of the efficacy of the spin Hall effect (SHE) of Pt for exerting anti-damping spin torque on an adjacent ferromagnetic layer by the insertion of $\approx$ 0.5 nm layer of Hf between a Pt film and a thin, < 2 nm, Fe$_{60}$Co$_{20}$B$_{20}$ ferromagnetic layer. This enhancement is quantified by measurement of the switching current density when the ferromagnetic layer is the free electrode in a magnetic tunnel junction. The results are explained as the suppression of spin pumping through a substantial decrease in the effective spin-mixing conductance of the interface, but without a concomitant reduction of the ferromagnet\' s absorption of the SHE generated spin current.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2010

Time-resolved detection of spin-transfer-driven ferromagnetic resonance and spin torque measurement in magnetic tunnel junctions

Several experimental techniques have been introduced in recent years in attempts to measure spin transfer torque in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). The dependence of spin torque on bias is important for understanding fundamental spin physics in magnetic devices and for applications. However, previous techniques have provided only indirect measures of the torque and their results to date for the bias dependence are qualitatively and quantitatively inconsistent. Here we demonstrate that spin torque in MTJs can be measured directly by using time-domain techniques to detect resonant magnetic precession in response to an oscillating spin torque. The technique is accurate in the high-bias regime relevant for applications, and because it detects directly small-angle linear-response magnetic dynamics caused by spin torque it is relatively immune to artifacts affecting competing techniques. At high bias we find that the spin torque vector differs markedly from the simple lowest-order Taylor series approximations commonly assumed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗