Current-induced magnetic switching of a single molecule magnet on a spin valve

Xiao Zhang a, Zheng-Chuan Wang a,∗, Qing-Rong Zheng a, Zheng-Gang Zhu a,b, Gang Su a,∗

a Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics and Computational Materials Physics Laboratory, School of Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China b School of Electronics, Electric and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

The current-induced magnetic switching of a single-molecule magnet (SMM) attached on the central region of a spin valve is explored, and the condition for the switching current is derived. Electrons flowing through the spin valve will interact with the SMM via the s–d exchange interaction, producing the spin accumulation that satisfies the spin diffusion equation. We further describe the spin motion of the SMM by a Heisenberg-like equation. Based on the linear stability analysis, we obtain the critical current from two coupled equations. The results of the critical current versus the external magnetic field indicate that one can manipulate the magnetic state of the SMM by an external magnetic field.