A study of spin relaxation on spin transfer switching of a noncollinear magnetic multilayer structure

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Abstract
We study the spin relaxation effects in spacer and free layers on spin torque of a current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) magnetic multilayer structure with noncollinear magnetization. We apply a generalized spin drift-diffusion model based on previous models by Zhang, Levy, and Fert, which accounts for both longitudinal and transverse components of spin accumulation and a spin current in a noncollinear system. The transverse spin accumulation and the areal resistance of a typical Co–Cu–Co pseudo-spin-valve are calculated as functions of angular deviation between the free and fixed Co magnetizations in the presence of an additional capping layer of Au. It was found that a long spin diffusion length in the spacer layer and a short transverse spin diffusion length in the free layer play a critical role in producing a high spin transfer torque within the free layer.