SWITCHING OF PERPENDICULARLY MAGNETIZED NANOMAGNETS WITH SPIN-ORBIT TORQUES IN THE ABSENCE OF EXTERNAL MAGNETIC FIELDS

摘要

A base element for switching a magnetization state of a nanomagnet (100) includes a heavy-metal strip (102) having a surface (103). A ferromagnetic nanomagnet (101) is disposed adjacent to the surface (103). The ferromagnetic nanomagnet (101) has a first magnetization equilibrium state and a second magnetization equilibrium state, parallel and anti-parallel to the normal of the surface (103). The first magnetization equilibrium state or the second magnetization equilibrium state is settable in an absence of an external magnetic field by a flow of electrical charge through the heavy-metal strip (102). A method for switching a magnetization state of a nanomagnet is also described.