Binary switching in a symmetric potential landscape

Abstract

The general methodology of binary switching requires tilting of potential landscape along the desired direction of switching. The tilt generates a torque along the direction of switching and the degree of tilt should be sufficient enough to beat thermal agitations with a tolerable error probability. However, we show here that such tilt is not necessary. Considering the full three-dimensional motion, we point out that the built-in dynamics can facilitate switching without requiring any asymmetry in potential landscape even in the presence of thermal noise. With experimentally feasible parameters, we theoretically demonstrate such intriguing possibility in electric field-induced magnetization switching of a magnetostrictive nanomagnet.