Rewriting the rules for data storage

摘要

The magnetic data bits forming the basis of modern computing technology are made from high-coercivity materials with strong magnetic anisotropy so that information can be securely retained. This same property makes it hard to write information in the bits. Magnetic writing is still widely performed using magnetic fields induced by wires and coils, a methodology with severe limitations in scalability and efficiency. Miron et al. demonstrate a scalable approach to magnetic writing where the magnetization of a thin cobalt layer is easily reversed by an electronic current that is injected in the plane. The new device can be readily integrated with standard magnetic recording technology.