Current induced vortices in multi-nanocontact spin-torque devices

We demonstrate spin transfer torque (STT) switching in multi-nanocontact STT devices fabricated using hole mask colloidal lithography. We also study the STT device resistance and switching properties as a function of applied magnetic field and nanocontact current. At low nanocontact current, magnetoresistance measurements show sharp, single-step switching at low switching fields. When the current is increased, the switching becomes multistep, and the switching field increases dramatically. We explain these results as arising from a transition from a predominantly single domain like switching to switching involving a vortex state. Micromagnetic simulations corroborate this picture, indicating that a single magnetic vortex nucleates in between the nanocontacts through the influence from the total Oersted field generated by the nanocontact ensemble. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3556960]