Reducing the critical switching current in nanoscale spin valves

The current induced magnetization reversal in nanoscale spin valves is a potential alternative to magnetic field switching in magnetic memories. We show that the critical switching current can be decreased by an order of magnitude by strategically distributing the resistances in the magnetically active region of the spin valve. In addition, we...

Planar Hall effect and magnetic anisotropy in epitaxially strained chromium dioxide thin films

We have measured the in-plane anisotropic magnetoresistance of 100?nm thick CrO2 thin films at liquid He temperatures. In low magnetic fields H, both the longitudinal and the transverse (planar Hall) resistance show abrupt switches, which characteristically depend on the orientation of H. All the experimental findings consistently demonstrate...