Inverse current-induced magnetization switching in magnetic tunnel junctions with Fe4N free layer

Shinji Isogami, Masakiyo Tsunoda, Yosuke Komasaki, Akimasa Sakuma, Migaku Takahasi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Current-induced magnetization switching (CIMS) in CoFeB (pinned layer)/MgO/Fe4N (free layer) magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) was investigated at room temperature and an inverse CIMS phenomenon was clearly identified. From the current-field magnetic phase diagram, determined from the dependence of the switching field on the bias current, the direction of spin-transfer torque was found to be opposite to that observed in CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB-MTJs. The inverse CIMS observed in this study cannot be explained only by the conventional theory, which states that the direction of the spin-transfer torque is determined by the sign of the spin polarization of the pinned layer.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103002
JournalApplied Physics Express
Volume3
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Oct

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