Junction size dependence of the heat controlled magnetic anisotropy in magnetic tunnel junctions

Abstract

We investigated the heat controlled magnetic anisotropy (HCMA) in magnetic tunnel junctions with various junction sizes. We evaluated the HCMA from perpendicular magnetic anisotropy under a direct current voltage measured by the spin-torque diode technique. The maximum HCMA magnitude of 5.4 μJ (Wm)−1 was observed, and the HCMA increased with increasing diameter. Our results can be explained by a simple heat dissipation model and suggest that the in-plane heat current affects HCMA.