arXiv subjects

D. Altbir

Publications and source records attributed to D. Altbir.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Spin-Transfer Torque on Curved Surfaces: A Generalized Thiele Formalism

Curvature is a highly relevant parameter when considering nanostructures, favoring the stability and affecting the dynamics of magnetic textures. In this work, we address the spin-transfer torque phenomenon by deriving an expanded Thiele equation with the Zhang-Li term for curved surfaces. Our results show a coupling between current and curvature, which is perceived as a gyrovector and an additional dissipative tensor associated with this coupling. Using this model, we determine the dynamics of a skyrmion in a nanotube with Gaussian and variable mean curvature. The new terms included in the Thiele equation are responsible for an additional Hall effect in the skyrmion dynamics and for the generalization of the Walker limit condition.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Tuning domain wall oscillation frequency in bent nanowires through a mechanical analogy

In this work, we present a theoretical model for domain wall (DW) oscillations in a curved magnetic nanowire with a constant curvature under the action of a uniaxial magnetic field. Our results show that the DW dynamics can be described as that of the mechanical pendulum, and both the NW curvature and the external magnetic field influence its oscillatory frequency. A comparison between our theoretical approach and experimental data in the literature shows an excellent agreement. The results presented here can be used to design devices demanding the proper control of the DW oscillatory motion in NWs.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Chiral spin-transfer torque induced by curvature gradient

This work analyzes the propagation of a transverse domain wall (DW) motion under the action of an electric current along a nanowire (NW) with a curvature gradient. Our results evidence that the curvature gradient induces a chiral spin-transfer torque (CSTT) whose effect on the DW motion depends on the direction along which the DW points. The origin of the CSTT is explained in terms of a position and phase-dependent effective field associated with the DW profile and the electric current direction. Finally, our results reveal that this chiral mechanism can also affect the behavior of other magnetization collective modes, such as spin waves. This work shows the emergence of curvature-induced chiral spin transport and highlights a new phenomenon to be considered for designing spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Domain wall damped harmonic oscillations induced by curvature gradients in elliptical magnetic nanowires

Understanding the domain wall (DW) dynamics in magnetic nanowires (NW) is crucial for spintronic-based applications demanding the use of DWs as information carriers. This work focuses on the dynamics of a DW displacing along a bent NW with an elliptical shape under the action of spin-polarized electric currents and external magnetic fields. Our results evidence that a curvature gradient induces an exchange-driven effective tangential field responsible for pinning a DW near the maximum curvature point in a NW. The DW equilibrium position depends on the competition between the torques produced by the external stimuli and the curvature-induced effective fields. When the external stimuli are below a certain threshold, the DW follows a damped harmonic oscillation around the equilibrium position. Above this threshold, DW displaces along the NW under an oscillatory translational motion.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Typical skyrmions versus bimerons: a long-distance competition in ferromagnetic racetracks

During the last years, topologically protected collective modes of the magnetization have called much attention. Among these, skyrmions and merons have been the object of intense study. In particular, topological skyrmions are objects with an integer skyrmion number $Q$ while merons have a half-integer skyrmion charge $q$. In this work, we consider a $Q=1$ skyrmion, composed by a meron and an antimeron (bimeron), displacing in a ferromagnetic racetrack, disputing a long-distance competition with its more famous counterpart, the typical $Q=1$ cylindrically symmetrical skyrmion. Both types of topological structures induce a Magnus force and then are subject to the Hall effect. The influence of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction ($DMI$) present in certain materials and able to induces $DMI$-skyrmions is also analyzed. Our main aim is to compare the motions (induced by a spin-polarized current) of these objects along with their own specific racetracks. We also investigate some favorable factors which are able to give breath to the competitors, impelling them to remain in the race for longer distances before their annihilation at the racetrack lateral border. An interesting result is that the $DMI$-skyrmion loses this hypothetical race due to its larger rigidity.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Controlling the nucleation and annihilation of skyrmions with magnetostatic interactions

Skyrmions have become one of the most visited topics during the last decade in condensed matter physics. In this work, and by means of analytical calculations and micromagnetic simulations, we explore the effect of the magnetostatic field generated by a magnetic tip on the stability of skyrmions. Our results show that the interaction energy between the tip and the skyrmion plays a fundamental role in the stabilization of N\'eel skyrmions confined in nanodisks, allowing its nucleation and annihilation, and also providing precise control of its size and polarity. Based on our results, we propose a very simple and cyclic method to nucleate and annihilate skyrmions, as well as to control their polarity and chirality. This proposal could open new possibilities for logic devices taking advantage of all the degrees of freedom that skyrmionic textures have.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Analysis on the stability of in-surface magnetic configurations in toroidal nanoshells

Curvature of nanomagnets can be used to induce chiral textures in the magnetization field. Here we perform analytical calculations and micromagnetic simulations aiming to analyze the stability of in-surface magnetization configurations in toroidal nanomagnets. We have obtained that despite toroidal vortex-like configurations are highly stable in magnetic nanotori, the interplay between geometry and magnetic properties promotes the competition between effective interactions yielding the development of a core in a vortex state when the aspect ratio between internal and external radii of nanoturus is $\gtrsim0.75$.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

New magnetic states in nanorings created by anisotropy gradients

Magnetic nanorings have been widely studied due to their potential applications in spintronic and magnonic devices. In this work, by means of analytical calculations and micromagnetic simulations we have analyzed the magnetic energy of nanorings with variable anisotropy along their radius. Four magnetic states, including two new magnetic configurations, here called meron and knot-like states, are considered, looking to the relative lower energy states as a function of anisotropy. Phase diagrams with this states are presented.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Coupling of skyrmions mediated by RKKY interaction

A discussion on the interaction between skyrmions in a bi-layer system connected by a non-magnetic metal is presented. From considering a free charge carrier model, we have shown that the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY ) inter- action can induce attractive or repulsive interaction between the skyrmions depending on the spacer thickness. We have also shown that due to an increasing in RKKY energy when the skyrmions are far from each other, their widths are diminished. Finally, we have obtained analytical solutions to the skyrmion position when the in-plane distance between the skyrmions is small and it is shown that an attractive RKKY interaction yields a skyrmion precessory motion. This RKKY-induced coupling could be used as a skyrmion drag mechanism to displace skyrmions in multilayers.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Oscillatory behavior of the domain wall dynamics in a curved cylindrical magnetic nanowire

Understanding the domain wall dynamics is an important issue in modern magnetism. Here we present results of domain wall displacement in curved cylindrical nanowires at a constant magnetic field. We show that the average velocity of a transverse domain wall increases with curvature. Contrary to what it is observed in stripes, in a curved wire the transverse domain wall oscillates along and rotates around the nanowire with the same frequency. These results open the possibility of new oscillation-based applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Magnetic ground states for bent nanotubes

Magnetic nanotubes have been widely studied because they are promising candidates to be part in devices based on spintronic and magnonic technologies. However, the experimental techniques used to prepare these elements could not guarantee to have perfect nanostructures. Therefore, some geometric imperfections can appear. In this direction, the bent of a nanotube could play an essential role in the magnetic properties of a device. In this work, we analyze the influence of curvature on the magnetic properties of a bent nanotube, a topic scarcely studied, and that can have a strong impact on applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Topological magnetic solitons on a paraboloidal shell

We study the influence of curvature on the exchange energy of skyrmions and vortices on a paraboloidal surface. It is shown that such structures appear as excitations of the Heisenberg model, presenting topological stability, unlike what happens on other simply-connected geometries such as pseudospheres. We also show that the skyrmion width depends on the geometrical parameters of the paraboloid. The presence of a magnetic field leads to the appearance of $2\pi$-skyrmions, introducing a new characteristic length into the system. Regarding vortices, the geometrical parameters of the paraboloid play an important role in the exchange energy of this excitation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Curvature-induced changes in the magnetic energy of vortices and skyrmions in paraboloidal nanoparticles

Curvature effects are important for a proper description of the properties of magnetic systems. In this paper the exchange and dipolar energy of vortices on a paraboloidal shell is studied. Using analytical calculations it is shown that the in-plane component of vortices has larger energy on a paraboloidal shell than in a planar disk with same thickness. On the other hand, the dipolar energy associated to the vortex core diminishes if the vortex core is on a paraboloidal surface. This reduction in the dipolar energy may cause a vortex pinning mechanism by a paraboloidal shaped defect in a planar nanomagnet. Regarding skyrmions, by using an in-plane anisotropy approximation to the dipolar energy, it is shown that the skyrmion must have its width shrunk in order to diminishes the magnetostatic energy and satisfy geometrical constraints of the system.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Stability of skyrmions on curved surfaces in the presence of a magnetic field

We study the stability and energetics associated to skyrmions appear- ing as excitations on curved surfaces. Using a continuum model we show that the presence of cylindrically radial and azimuthal fields destabilizes the skyrmions that appear in the absence of an external field. Weak fields generate fractional skyrmions while strong magnetic fields yield stable 2{$\pi$}- skyrmions, which have their widths diminished by the magnetic field strength. Under azimuthal fields vortex appear as stable states on the curved surface.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Tailoring the nucleation of domain walls along multi-segmented cylindrical nanoelements

The magnetization reversal of three-segment cylindrical nanoelements comprising of alternating nanowire and nanotube sections is investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Such nanoelements may feature a three-state behaviour with an intermediate plateau in the hysteresis curve due to a metastable pinning of the domain walls at the wire-tube interfaces. It turns out that vortex as well as transverse domain walls contribute to the magnetization reversal. By varying the geometric parameters, the sequence, or the material of the elements the nucleation location of domain walls, as well as their nucleation field, can be tailored. Especially interesting is the novel possibility to drive domain walls coherently in the same or in opposite directions by changing the geometry of the hybrid nanoelement. This important feature adds additional flexibility to the construction of logical devices based on domain wall movement. Another prominent outcome is that domain walls can be nucleated near the centre of the element and then traverse to the outer tips of the cylindrical structure when the applied field is increased, which also opens the possibility to use these three-segment nanoelements for the field induced delivery of domain walls as substitutes for large nucleation pads.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Effect of perpendicular uniaxial anisotropy on the annihilation fields of magnetic vortices

The magnetic vortex structure, that is present in several nanoscopic systems, is stable and can be manipulated through the application of a magnetic field or a spin polarized current. The size and shape of the core are strongly affected by the anisotropy, however its role on the core behavior has not yet been clarified. In the present work we investigate the influence of a perpendicular anisotropy on the annihilation and shape of magnetic vortex cores in permalloy disks. We have used both micromagnetic simulations with the OOMMF code, and an analytical model that assumes that the shape of the core does not change during the hysteresis cycle, known as the rigid core model, to calculate the annihilation fields. In both cases we found that the annihilation fields decrease with increasing perpendicular anisotropy for almost all the structures investigated. The simulations show that for increasing anisotropy or dot thickness, or both, the vortex core profile changes its shape, becoming elongated. For every dot thickness, this change does not depend on the dot radius, but on the relative distance of the core from the center of the dot.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Scaling relations for magnetic nanoparticles

A detailed investigation of the scaling relations recently proposed by [J. d'Albuquerque e Castro, D. Altbir, J. C. Retamal, and P. Vargas, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 237202 (2002)] to study the magnetic properties of nanoparticles is presented. Analytical expressions for the total energy of three characteristic internal configurations of the particles are obtained, in terms of which the behavior of the magnetic phase diagram for those particles upon scaling of the exchange interaction is discussed. The exponent $η$ in scaling relations is shown to be dependent on the geometry of the vortex core, and results for specific cases are presented.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Magnetic behavior of nanoparticles in patterned thin films

The magnetic behavior of truncated conical nanoparticles in patterned thin films is investigated as a function of their size and shape. Using a scaling technique, phase diagrams giving the relative stability of characteristic internal magnetic structures of the particles are obtained. The role of the uniaxial anisotropy in determining the magnetic properties of such systems is discussed, and a simple method for stablishing its strength is proposed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗