Ultrafast voltage-induced switching enabled by coupling dynamics in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction

Q Qi Jia Y Yu-Chia Chen Y Yang Lv (State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) D Delin Zhang S Shuang Liang (State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry) Y Yifei Yang (Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting, Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences) J Jian-Ping Wang (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota 1 , Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455,)

Abstract

Ultrafast magnetization switching is essential for spintronic applications, yet the switching speed of current-driven approaches such as spin-transfer torque and spin–orbit torque is fundamentally limited by magnetic damping. Here, we demonstrate voltage-driven switching in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions with an exchange-coupled free layer, combining voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy and voltage-controlled exchange coupling. We achieve unidirectional reversal with a 50% probability within 87.5 ps, establishing the sub-100-ps capability of voltage-induced switching. Analysis of switching probability vs pulse width reveals an intrinsic size-dependent switching efficiency, which is enhanced as device dimensions decrease. This trend reflects the role of coupling dynamics as confirmed by macrospin simulations, establishing coupling dynamics as the key enabler of ultrafast voltage-driven switching.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 127, Issue 26
Published December 29, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (7)

Q

Qi Jia

Y

Yu-Chia Chen

Y

Yang Lv

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

D

Delin Zhang

S

Shuang Liang

State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry

Y

Yifei Yang

Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting, Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

J

Jian-Ping Wang

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota 1 , Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455,