Magnetization switching induced by in-plane current with low density in Pt/Co/Pt sandwich

We have observed that the extraordinary Hall resistance of Pt/Co/Pt sandwich with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy changes from positive to negative drastically as the current density increases in an applied field, indicating the magnetization switching induced by the current. There exists a critical current density that changes for the different applied field with the order of current density of 10(4) A/cm(2), which is much lower than that reported in literatures on the current-induced magnetization switching. The results of the extraordinary Hall effect of the sample in different in-plane current density show that the magnetization-switching field decreases with the increment of current density when the current density is larger than 10(4) A/cm(2). (C) 2006 American Institute of Physics.