Spin-transfer torque in magnetic tunnel junctions: Scattering theory

Details Spin-transfer torque in magnetic tunnel junctions: Scattering theory Spin-transfer torque in magnetic tunnel junctions: Scattering theory

2008-04-30

arxiv.org/abs/0804.4736v2

Physical Review B 77, 224419 (2008)

Physics

Condensed Matter

Materials Science

10 pages, 10 figures. to be published on Physical Review B

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevB.77.224419

We study the bias-dependent spin-transfer torque in magnetic tunnel junctions in the Stoner model by scattering theory. We show that the in-plane (Slonczewski type) torque vanishes and subsequently reverses its direction when the bias voltage becomes larger or the barrier wider than material and device-dependent critical values. We are able to reproduce the magnitude and the bias dependence of measured in-plane and out-of-plane torques using realistic parameters. The condition for the vanishing torque is summarized by a phase diagram depending on the applied bias and barrier width, which is explained in terms of an interface spin polarization and the electron focusing by the barrier. Quantum size effects in the spin-transfer torque are predicted as a function of the thickness of a normal metal layer inserted between the ferromagnet and tunnel barrier.

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