Spin-polarized currents can transfer spin angular momentum to a ferromagnet, generating a torque that can efficiently reorient its magnetization. Achieving quantitative measurements of the spin-transfer-torque vector in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) is important for understanding fundamental mechanisms affecting spin-dependent tunneling, and for developing magnetic memories and nanoscale microwave oscillators.Here we present direct measurements of both the magnitude and direction of the spin torque in Co 60 Fe 20 B 20 /MgO/Co 60 Fe 20 B 20 MTJs. At low bias V, the differential torque d r /dV lies in the plane defined by the electrode magnetizations, and its magnitude is in excellent agreement with a prediction for highly-spin-polarized tunneling. With increasing bias, the in-plane component d || /dV remains large, in striking contrast to the decreasing magnetoresistance ratio. The differential torque vector also rotates out of the plane under bias; we measure a perpendicular component V ( ) with bias dependence V 2 for low V, that becomes as large as 30% of the in-plane torque. *email: ralph@ccmr.cornell.edu † IBM RSM Emeritus || || , minus an antisymmetric Lorentzian d /dI .
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