title: Time-resolved imaging of spin transfer switching: beyond the macrospin concept.
abstract: Time-resolved images of the magnetization switching process in a spin transfer structure, obtained by ultrafast x-ray microscopy, reveal the limitations of the macrospin model. Instead of a coherent magnetization reversal, we observe switching by lateral motion of a magnetic vortex across a nanoscale element. Our measurements reveal the fundamental roles played independently by the torques due to charge and spin currents in breaking the magnetic symmetry on picosecond time scales.
authors.affiliation: Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, Stanford, California 94309, USA.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Acremann
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Strachan
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chembrolu
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tyliszczak
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Katine
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Clemens
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Siegmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stöhr