Fluctuation Theorem for a Small Engine and Magnetization Switching by   Spin Torque
  We consider a reversal of the magnetic moment of a nano-magnet by the fluctuating spin-torque induced by a non-equilibrium current of electron spins. This is an example of the problem of the escape of a particle from a metastable state subjected to a fluctuating non-conservative force. The spin-torque is the non-conservative force and its fluctuations are beyond the description of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. We estimate the joint probability distribution of work done by the spin torque and the Joule heat generated by the current, which satisfies the fluctuation theorem for a small engine. We predict a threshold voltage above which the spin-torque shot noise induces probabilistic switching events and below which such events are blocked. We adopt the theory of the full-counting statistics under the adiabatic pumping of spin angular momentum. This enables us to account for the backaction effect, which is crucial to maintain consistency with the fluctuation theorem. 
Yasuhiro Utsumi, Tomohiro Taniguchi
cond-mat.mes-hall cond-mat.stat-mech