Spin transfer switching characteristics in a Pd/Co m/Cu/Co/ Pd n pseudo spin-valve nanopillar with perpendicular anisotropy

Abstract

We successfully demonstrate spin transfer switching (STS) characteristics in a Pd/Co m/Cu/Co/Pd n pseudo spin-valve nanopillar with 100 nm diameter. We observed lower critical current density and high giant magnetoresistance (GMR) ratio in our devices compared to other fully perpendicularly magnetized pseudo spin-valve structures. The devices showed a current-perpendicular-to-plane GMR of 1.2 and a STS critical current density of J AP-P -2.6 × 10 7 A/cm 2 and J P-AP 3.8 × 10 7 A/cm 2. The observed low critical current density is thought to be due to higher spin-transfer efficiency arising from smaller spin orbital scattering, longer spin diffusion length of the thinner Pd, and thinner soft-layer-film thickness and coercivity in the nanopillar devices. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.