We study the spin-transfer-induced dynamics of a target skyrmion in the free layer of nanopillar structures, in which the polarizer layer has a perpendicular magnetization. By using micromagnetic simulations, it is shown that three distinct modes can be excited. As a consequence of the evolution of the lowest frequency mode, breathing mode, the polarized direction of the skyrmion core can be switched via Bloch point injection and propagation.

• Received 28 January 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.91.094425