Asymmetry of the magnetization reversal process in a magnetic tunnel junction

Abstract

Field induced magnetization reversal dynamics of a soft magnetic layer embedded in a magnetic tunnel junction stack has been studied by magneto-optical magnetometry. Different dynamic behaviors are revealed comparing parallel-to-antiparallel and antiparallel-to-parallel reversals. Local inhomogeneities evidenced in the barrier thickness are transferred to the dipolar coupling field locally experienced by the soft layer, and are proposed as being at the origin of an asymmetry of nucleation and propagation processes accounting for the magnetization dynamics.

Thermally activated magnetization reversal in magnetic tunnel junctions

“…This complexity and the shift in the free layer loop along the field axis are believed to result from the coupling between the layers which can be reasonably accounted for by the Néel dipolar orangepeel coupling. [12] Fig. 1.…”