Spin-current pulse induced switching of vortex chirality in permalloy/Cu/Co nanopillars

Dynamic response of the vortex magnetization in multilayered magnetic nanopillars to the spin-polarized current pulse has been investigated numerically. The equilibrium magnetization configurations in both magnetic layers are the vortex states with single magnetization cores at the disk center. It was found that the chirality of the vortex state in magnetic free layer can be controllably switched by applying current pulse with appropriate amplitude, polarity, and duration. The critical current density required for the chirality switching is found to be on the order of 10(8) A/cm(2). (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.