title: Current-induced magnetization reversal in high magnetic fields in Co/Cu/Co nanopillars.
abstract: Current-induced magnetization dynamics in Co/Cu/Co trilayer nanopillars (approximately 100 nm in diameter) have been studied experimentally at low temperatures for large applied fields perpendicular to the layers. At 4.2 K an abrupt and hysteretic increase in resistance is observed at high current densities for one polarity of the current, comparable to the giant magnetoresistance effect observed at low fields. A micromagnetic model that includes a spin-transfer torque suggests that the current induces a complete reversal of the thin Co layer to alignment antiparallel to the applied field--that is, to a state of maximum magnetic energy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ozyilmaz
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Monsma
authors.forename: J Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rooks
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Koch