Theoretical condition for switching the magnetization in a perpendicularly magnetized ferromagnet via the spin Hall effect

Abstract

A theoretical formula is derived for the threshold current to switch a perpendicular magnetization in a ferromagnet by the spin Hall effect. The numerical simulation of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation indicates that magnetization switching is achieved when the steady-state solution of the magnetization in the presence of the current is outside an energetically unstable region. Based on the numerical result, an analytical theory deriving the threshold current is developed by focusing on the first-order perturbation to the unstable state. The analytical formula clarifies that the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the current direction should be larger than 15\% of the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field, and the current is less than the derived threshold value.