Effect of polarized current on the magnetic state of an antiferromagnet.
We provide evidence for the effects of spin polarized current on a nanofabricated antiferromagnet incorporated into a spin-valve structure. The signatures of the current-induced effects include bipolar steps in differential resistance, current-induced changes of exchange bias correlated with these steps, and deviations from the statistics expected for thermally activated switching of spin valves. We explain our observations by a combination of spin torque exerted on the interfacial antiferromagnetic moments and electron-magnon scattering in an antiferromagnet.
Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, USA.
Sergei
S
Urazhdin
Nicholas
N
Anthony