Current-induced magnetization switching in pseudo spin-valves

The spin transfer torque model applied in the context of a Fokker-Planck analysis (Li and Zhang 2004 Phys. Rev. B 69 134416) is shown to account for a complete set of statistical data for switching times obtained with pseudo spin-valves (Fabian et al 2003 Phys. Rev. Lett. 91 257209). Current densities of the order of 10(7) A cm(-2) injected in Co/Cu/Co bilayers electrodeposited in nanoporous membranes gave rise to magnetization switching. Statistics could be accumulated on one single nanowire at a time: the field at which the average residence times in parallel and antiparallel configurations were equal, these times as a function of current, and the ratio of the times as a function of current and field.