Field-dependent quantum nucleation of antiferromagnetic bubbles

Abstract

The phenomenon of quantum nucleation is studied in a nanometer-scale antiferromagnet with biaxial symmetry in the presence of a magnetic field at an arbitrary angle. Within the instanton approach, we calculate the dependence of the rate of quantum nucleation and the crossover temperature on the orientation and strength of the field for bulk solids and two-dimensional films of antiferromagnets, respectively. Our results show that the rate of quantum nucleation and the crossover temperature from thermal-to-quantum transitions depend on the orientation and strength of the field distinctly, which can be tested with the use of existing experimental techniques. PACS number(s): 75.45.+j, 73.40.Gk, 75.30.Gw, 75.50.Ee