Impact of interface anisotropy on spin polarized current driven switching in FePt/Au/FePt nanopillar

Magnetization switching dynamics in FePt/Au/FePt nanopillar, induced by spin-transfer torque is investigated by solving the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert–Slonczewski equation. The switching of magnetization occurs in the device, above a threshold current density of 1.72×108A/cm2, which agrees well with the previously reported   experimentally measured value. This further reduces to 1.30×108A/cm2, when there is interface anisotropy in the free FePt layer, whose presence has been identified recently through scanning tunneling microscopy images and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. The interface anisotropy also reduces the switching time from 15.59 ps to 9.56 ps when the device having a free FePt layer of thickness 1.5 nm is operated with a current density of 2.0×108A/cm2.

► Manuscript contains an important results of FePt/Au/FePt nanopillar device. ► Interface anisotropy present in the nanoferromagnetic film plays a crucial role. ► FePt nanopillar device, reduces the current required for magnetization switching. ► FePt nanopillar device reduces the switching time significantly. ► The results obtained here agrees well with the recent experimental measurements.