Abstract

The magnetization dynamics of magnetic nanostructures magnetized at an arbitrary out-of-plane angle is investigated with the spin-wave formalism. The magnetic excitations driven by a spin-polarized direct current are considered to be standing spin-wave modes appropriate for nanopillar structures. The spin waves grow exponentially above a certain critical value of the current density and their post-threshold nonlinear dynamics leads to magnetization oscillations in the microwave range. Due to demagnetizing fields, the current-driven excitation strongly depends on the direction of the applied external magnetic field. In order to calculate the microwave oscillation frequency we derive an equation of motion for the spin-wave amplitude as a function of the out-of-plane angle of the applied field. The results are compared with recent experimental data as well as with another theoretical approach. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.