A base element for switching a magnetization state of a nanomagnet includes a heavy-metal nanostrip having a surface. The heavy-metal nanostrip includes at least a first layer including a heavy metal and a second layer which includes a different heavy-metal. A ferromagnetic nanomagnet is disposed adjacent to the surface. The ferromagnetic nanomagnet includes a shape having a long axis and a short axis, the ferromagnetic nanomagnet having both a perpendicular-to-the-plane anisotropy H.sub.kz and an in-plane anisotropy H.sub.kx and the ferromagnetic nanomagnet having a first magnetization equilibrium state and a second magnetization equilibrium state. The first magnetization equilibrium state or the second magnetization equilibrium state is settable by a flow of electrical charge through the heavy-metal nanostrip. A direction of the flow of electrical charge through the heavy-metal nanostrip includes an angle ξ with respect to the short axis of the nanomagnet.

A method of controlling a trajectory of a perpendicular magnetization switching of a ferromagnetic layer using spin-orbit torques in the absence of any external magnetic field includes: injecting a charge current J.sub.e through a heavy-metal thin film disposed adjacent to a ferromagnetic layer to produce spin torques which drive a magnetization M out of an equilibrium state towards an in-plane of a nanomagnet; turning the charge current J.sub.e off after t.sub.e seconds, where an effective field experienced by the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer H.sub.eff is significantly dominated by and in-plane anisotropy H.sub.kx, and where M passes a hard axis by precessing around the H.sub.eff; and passing the hard axis, where H.sub.eff is dominated by a perpendicular-to-the-plane anisotropy H.sub.kz, and where M is pulled towards the new equilibrium state by precessing and damping around H.sub.eff, completing a magnetization switching.

A method of controlling a trajectory of a perpendicular magnetization switching of a ferromagnetic layer using spin-orbit torques in the absence of any external magnetic field includes: injecting a charge current J.sub.e through a heavy-metal thin film disposed adjacent to a ferromagnetic layer to produce spin torques which drive a magnetization M out of an equilibrium state towards an in-plane of a nanomagnet; turning the charge current J.sub.e off after t.sub.e seconds, where an effective field experienced by the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer H.sub.eff is significantly dominated by and in-plane anisotropy H.sub.kx, and where M passes a hard axis by precessing around the H.sub.eff; and passing the hard axis, where H.sub.eff is dominated by a perpendicular-to-the-plane anisotropy H.sub.kz, and where M is pulled towards the new equilibrium state by precessing and damping around H.sub.eff, completing a magnetization switching.

A base element for switching a magnetization state of a nanomagnet includes a heavy-metal nanostrip having a surface. A ferromagnetic nanomagnet is disposed adjacent to the surface. The ferromagnetic nanomagnet includes a shape having a long axis and a short axis. The ferromagnetic nanomagnet has both a perpendicular-to-the-plane anisotropy H.sub.kz and an in-plane anisotropy H.sub.kx and the ferromagnetic nanomagnet has a first magnetization equilibrium state and a second magnetization equilibrium state. The first magnetization equilibrium state or the second magnetization equilibrium state is settable by a flow of electrical charge through the heavy-metal nanostrip. A direction of flow of the electrical charge through the heavy-metal nanostrip includes an angle ξ with respect to the short axis of the nanomagnet.

A base element for switching a magnetization state of a nanomagnet includes a heavy-metal nanostrip having a surface. The heavy-metal nanostrip includes at least a first layer including a heavy metal and a second layer which includes a different heavy-metal. A ferromagnetic nanomagnet is disposed adjacent to the surface. The ferromagnetic nanomagnet includes a shape having a long axis and a short axis, the ferromagnetic nanomagnet having both a perpendicular-to-the-plane anisotropy H.sub.kz and an in-plane anisotropy H.sub.kx and the ferromagnetic nanomagnet having a first magnetization equilibrium state and a second magnetization equilibrium state. The first magnetization equilibrium state or the second magnetization equilibrium state is settable by a flow of electrical charge through the heavy-metal nanostrip. A direction of the flow of electrical charge through the heavy-metal nanostrip includes an angle with respect to the short axis of the nanomagnet.

A base element for switching a magnetization state of a nanomagnet includes a heavy-metal nanostrip having a surface. A ferromagnetic nanomagnet is disposed adjacent to the surface. The ferromagnetic nanomagnet includes a shape having a long axis and a short axis. The ferromagnetic nanomagnet has both a perpendicular-to-the-plane anisotropy H.sub.kz and an in-plane anisotropy H.sub.kx and the ferromagnetic nanomagnet has a first magnetization equilibrium state and a second magnetization equilibrium state. The first magnetization equilibrium state or the second magnetization equilibrium state is settable by a flow of electrical charge through the heavy-metal nanostrip. A direction of flow of the electrical charge through the heavy-metal nanostrip includes an angle with respect to the short axis of the nanomagnet.

A base element for switching a magnetization state of a nanomagnet includes a heavy-metal strip having a surface. A ferromagnetic nanomagnet is disposed adjacent to the surface. The ferromagnetic nanomagnet has a first magnetization equilibrium state and a second magnetization equilibrium state. The first magnetization equilibrium state or the second magnetization equilibrium state is settable in an absence of an external magnetic field by a flow of electrical charge through the heavy-metal strip. A method for switching a magnetization state of a nanomagnet is also described.

A method of controlling a trajectory of a perpendicular magnetization switching of a ferromagnetic layer using spin-orbit torques in the absence of any external magnetic field includes: injecting a charge current J.sub.e through a heavy-metal thin film disposed adjacent to a ferromagnetic layer to produce spin torques which drive a magnetization M out of an equilibrium state towards an in-plane of a nanomagnet; turning the charge current J.sub.e off after t.sub.e seconds, where an effective field experienced by the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer H.sub.eff is significantly dominated by and in-plane anisotropy H.sub.kx, and where M passes a hard axis by precessing around the H.sub.eff; and passing the hard axis, where H.sub.eff is dominated by a perpendicular-to-the-plane anisotropy H.sub.kz, and where M is pulled towards the new equilibrium state by precessing and damping around H.sub.eff, completing a magnetization switching.

A base element for switching a magnetization state of a nanomagnet includes a heavy-metal strip having a surface. A ferromagnetic nanomagnet is disposed adjacent to the surface. The ferromagnetic nanomagnet has a first magnetization equilibrium state and a second magnetization equilibrium state. The first magnetization equilibrium state or the second magnetization equilibrium state is settable in an absence of an external magnetic field by a flow of electrical charge through the heavy-metal strip. A method for switching a magnetization state of a nanomagnet is also described.

A method of controlling a trajectory of a perpendicular magnetization switching of a ferromagnetic layer using spin-orbit torques in the absence of any external magnetic field includes: injecting a charge current J.sub.e through a heavy-metal thin film disposed adjacent to a ferromagnetic layer to produce spin torques which drive a magnetization M out of an equilibrium state towards an in-plane of a nanomagnet; turning the charge current J.sub.e off after t.sub.e seconds, where an effective field experienced by the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer H.sub.eff is significantly dominated by and in-plane anisotropy H.sub.kx, and where M passes a hard axis by precessing around the H.sub.eff; and passing the hard axis, where H.sub.eff is dominated by a perpendicular-to-the-plane anisotropy H.sub.kz, and where M is pulled towards the new equilibrium state by precessing and damping around H.sub.eff, completing a magnetization switching.