Spin-transfer interactions in exchange-biased spin valves

PAPER: Z. Wei, J. Basset, A. Sharma, J. Bass, and M. Tsoi,

“Spin-transfer interactions in exchange-biased spin valves”,

J. Appl. Phys. 105, 07D108 (2009).

SLIDES: 53^rd Magnetism and Magnetic Materials Conference

Austin, Texas, November 10-14, 2008

ABSTRACT:

We extend to a new antiferromagnetic alloy, IrMn, point-contact based studies of the effect of a large current density on the exchange bias at antiferromagnet/ferromagnet (AFM/F) interfaces. Similarly to the case of AFM=CoFe, a negative current density ~ 10¹² A/m² injected through the F=CoFe into an IrMn/CoFe interface was found to increase the exchange bias while a positive current decreased it. The model used to describe the data for FeMn/CoFe, based on predicted current-induced torques on AFM, can explain the new data.

This work was supported in part by NSF Grants DMR-06-45377 and DMR-08-04126