This chapter presents an overview of the magnetization configurations and reversal in magnetic structures ranging from a few nanometers to a few micrometers in size that can be described using the theory of micromagnetics. A range of techniques for the characterization of magnetic structures is introduced and the theoretical micromagnetism background, including the energy terms governing the magnetic properties, are discussed. The simplest case of a single domain system with uniform magnetization is treated within the framework of the Stoner–Wohlfarth theory, and experimental examples of such systems are presented. The magnetization configurations in larger systems that exhibit nonuniform magnetization are discussed in detail with a particular emphasis on experimental examples for the geometries that have been studied most often, such as discs, rings, rectangles, wires and pillars. Theoretically, the formation of these states is explained as a result of the interplay between the different magnetic energy terms; multidomain states that occur for larger elements are also introduced. The dynamic properties of the reversal of these elements are addressed, starting with the evaluation of the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation to obtain the trajectories for single domain particles. This is then extended to cover the nonhomogeneous reversal of nonuniform states. The elementary processes occurring during nonhomogeneous reversal are introduced and used to explain the magnetization reversal in a set of instructive examples.
The dynamics of emergent magnetic quasiparticles, such as vortices, domain walls and bubbles are studied by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), combining magnetic (XMCD) contrast with about 25 nm lateral resolution as well as 70 ps time resolution. Essential progress in the understanding of magnetic vortex dynamics is achieved by vortex core reversal observed by sub-GHz excitation of the vortex gyromode, either by ac magnetic fields or spin transfer torque. The basic switching scheme for this vortex core reversal is the generation of a vortex-antivortex pair. Much faster vortex core reversal is obtained by exciting azimuthal spin wave modes with (multi-GHz) rotating magnetic fields or orthogonal monopolar field pulses in the x and y direction, down to 45 ps in duration. In that way unidirectional vortex core reversal to the vortex core "down" or "up" state only can be achieved with switching times well below 100 ps. Coupled modes of interacting vortices mimic crystal properties. The individual vortex oscillators determine the properties of the ensemble, where the gyrotropic mode represents the fundamental excitation. By self-organized state formation we investigate distinct vortex core polarization configurations and understand these eigenmodes in an extended Thiele model. Analogies with photonic crystals are drawn. Oersted fields and spin-polarized currents are used to excite the dynamics of domain walls and magnetic bubble skyrmions. From the measured phase and amplitude of the displacement of domain walls we deduce the size of the non-adiabatic spin-transfer torque. For sensing applications, the displacement of domain walls is studied and a direct correlation between domain wall velocity and spin structure is found. Finally the synchronous displacement of multiple domain walls using perpendicular field pulses is demonstrated as a possible paradigm shift for magnetic memory and logic applications.
Direct observation of current-induced propagation of purely transverse magnetic domain walls with spin-polarized scanning electron microscopy is reported in Fe 30 Ni 70 nanowires. After propagation, the domain walls keep their transverse nature but switch polarity in some cases. For uniform Ni 70 Fe 30 wires, the effect is random and illustrates domain-wall propagation above the Walker threshold. In the case of Ni 70 Fe 30 =Fe wires, the transverse magnetization component in the wall is entirely determined by the polarity of the current pulse, an effect that is not reconciled by present theories even when taking into account the nonuniform Oersted field generated by the current.
In this chapter, the dynamics of magnetic skyrmions is reviewed. Starting with a topological definition of what we call a magnetic skyrmion, we describe the topology and discuss the resulting general properties. To stabilize chiral skyrmions, we introduce a chiral exchange interaction and we present the spin canting that leads to a given handedness for chiral skyrmions. Based on the statics, we next describe the dynamics based on a one-dimensional model and then discuss the steady-state dynamics for instance in wire geometries as well as the gyrotropic relaxation eigenmodes. Finally, we present an experimental demonstration of both these types of dynamics and give a brief outlook on future challenges and opportunities in this field.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.