Switching Distributions for Perpendicular Spin-Torque Devices Within the Macrospin Approximation

We model soft error rates for writing (WSER) and for reading (RSER) for spin-torque memory devices that have a free layer with easy axis perpendicular to the film plane by solving the Fokker-Planck equation for the probability distribution of the angle that the free layer magnetization makes with the normal to the plane of the film. We obtain: 1) an exact, closed form, analytical expression for the zero-temperature switching time as a function of initial angle; 2) an approximate analytical expression for the distribution function of the direction of the magnetization and the exponential decay of the WSER as a function of the time the current is applied; 3) comparison of the approximate analytical expressions for the distribution function and WSER to numerical solutions of the Fokker-Planck equation; 4) an approximate analytical expression for the distribution function and WSER for the case in which the pinned layer is not collinear with the perpendicular free layer; 5) an approximate analytical expression for the linear increase in RSER with current applied for reading; 6) comparison of the approximate analytical formula for the RSER to the numerical solution of the Fokker-Planck equation; and 7) confirmation of the accuracy of the Fokker-Planck solutions by comparison with results of direct simulation using the single-macrospin Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equations with a random fluctuating field in the short-time regime for which the latter is practical. We find that the WSER decays at long times as exp [-2(i - 1)tau] where the reduced time tau is related to the switching time, Gilbert damping and precession frequency through tau = alpha omega(0)t, and the reduced current is the ratio of the applied current to the critical current density for switching i = (I) over bar /I-0. This exponentially decaying tail in WSER is not easily reduced by tilting the pinned layer magnetization.