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Pulse-assisted magnetization switching in magnetic nanowires at picosecond and nanosecond timescales with low energy

Detailed understanding of spin dynamics in magnetic nanomaterials is necessary for developing ultrafast, low-energy and high-density spintronic logic and memory. Here, we develop micromagnetic models and analytical solutions to elucidate the effect of increasing damping and uniaxial anisotropy on magnetic field pulse-assisted switching time, energy and field requirements of nanowires with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and yttrium iron garnet-like spin transport properties. A nanowire is initially magnetized using an external magnetic field pulse (write) and self-relaxation. Next, magnetic moments exhibit deterministic switching upon receiving 2.5 ns-long external magnetic pulses in both vertical polarities. Favorable damping (α~0.1-0.5) and anisotropy energies (10^4-10^5 J m^-3) allow for as low as picosecond magnetization switching times. Magnetization reversal with fields below coercivity was observed using spin precession instabilities. A competition or a nanomagnetic trilemma arises among the switching rate, energy cost and external field required. Developing magnetic nanowires with optimized damping and effective anisotropy could reduce the switching energy barrier down to 3163kBT at room temperature. Thus, pulse-assisted picosecond and low energy switching in nanomagnets could enable ultrafast nanomagnetic logic and cellular automata.