Magnetization switching of a perpendicular nanomagnet induced by vertical nonlocal injection of pure spin current

Abstract

Injection of pure spin current using a nonlocal geometry is a promising method for controlling magnetization in spintronic devices from the viewpoints of increasing freedom in device structure and avoiding problems related to charge current. Here, we report an experimental demonstration of magnetization switching of a perpendicular magnetic nanodot induced by vertical injection of pure spin current from a spin polarizer with perpendicular magnetization. In comparison with direct spin injection, the current amplitude required for magnetization switching is of the same order and shows smaller asymmetry between parallel-to-antiparallel and antiparallel-to-parallel switching. Simulation of spin accumulation reveals that, in the case of nonlocal spin injection, the spin torque is symmetric between the parallel and antiparallel configuration because current flows through only the spin polarizer, not the magnetic nanodot. This characteristic of nonlocal spin injection is the origin of the smaller asymmetry of the switching current and can be advantageous in spintronic applications.