Current-induced switching of magnetic domains to a perpendicular configuration - art. no. 220407

In a ferromagnet-normal-metal-ferromagnet trilayer, a current flowing perpe ndicularly to the layers creates a torque on the magnetic moments of the fe rromagnets. When one of the contacts is superconducting, the torque not onl y favors parallel or antiparallel alignment of the magnetic moments, as is the case for two normal contacts, but can also favor a configuration where the two moments are perpendicular. In addition, whereas the conductance for parallel and antiparallel magnetic moments is the same, signalling the abs ence of giant magnetoresistance in the usual sense, the conductance is grea ter in the perpendicular configuration. Thus, a negative magnetoconductance is predicted, in contrast with the usual giant magnetoresistance.