Sub-micrometer spin-valve devices exhibit two stable states, and are candidates for MRAM applications. We have investigated switching in spin-valve devices in response to a single magnetic field pulse whose duration was varied from 250ps to 10 ns. The write-field pulses are oriented in the easy axis, along the long direction of the device. As the write-field pulse duration is decreased, the pulse amplitude required for switching the device increases. For several pulse widths and amplitudes above the switching threshold, we have observed the device switching into metastable states.
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