title: Domain wall creation in nanostructures driven by a spin-polarized current.
abstract: We report on current-driven magnetization reversal in nanopillars with elements having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Whereas only the two uniform magnetization states are available under the action of a magnetic field, we observed current-induced Bloch domain walls in pillars as small as 50 x 100 nm(2). This domain wall state can be further controlled by current to restore the uniform states. The ability to nucleate and manipulate domain walls by a current gives insight into the reversal mechanisms of small nanoelements and provides new prospects for ultrahigh density spintronic devices.
authors.affiliation: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, San Jose Research Center, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ravelosona
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mangin
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lemaho
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Katine
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Terris
authors.forename: Eric E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Fullerton