arXiv subjects

Masahito Mochizuki

Publications and source records attributed to Masahito Mochizuki.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Current-induced skyrmion dynamics in constricted geometries

Magnetic skyrmions, vortex-like swirling spin structures with quantized topological number, observed in chiral magnets, are appealing for potential applications in spintronics because it is possible to control their motion with ultralow current density. In order to realise skyrmion-based spintronic devices, it is essential to understand the skyrmion motions in confined geometries. Here we show by micromagnetic simulations that the current-induced motion of skyrmions in the presence of geometrical boundaries is very different from that in an infinite plane. In a channel with finite width, the transverse confinement results in steady state characteristics of the skyrmion velocity as a function of current similar to those of domain walls in ferromagnets, whereas the transient behaviour depends on the initial distance of the skyrmion from the boundary. In addition, we show that single skyrmions can be created by electric current in a simple constricted geometry of a plate-shaped specimen of suitable size and geometry. These findings could guide the design of skyrmion-based devices, in which skyrmions are used as information carriers.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Magnetoelectric Resonances and Predicted Microwave Diode Effect of Skyrmion Crystal in Multiferroic Chiral-Lattice Magnet

We theoretically discover that unique eigenmodes of skyrmion crystal (SkX) are not only magnetically active to ac magnetic field (H^w) but also electrically active to ac electric field (E^w) in a multiferroic chiral-lattice magnet Cu2OSeO3, which amplifies the dynamical magnetoelectric coupling between E^w and the spin texture. The resulting intense interference between their electric and magnetic activation processes can lead to unprecedentedly large diode effect on the microwave, i.e., its absorption by SkX changes up to ~20% when the incident direction is reversed. Our results demonstrate that the skyrmion can be a promising building block for microwave devices.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Theory of current-driven motion of Skyrmions and spirals in helical magnets

We study theoretically the dynamics of the spin textures, i.e., Skyrmion crystal (SkX) and spiral structure (SS), in two-dimensional helical magnets under external current. By numerically solving the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation, it is found that (i) the critical current density of the motion is much lower for SkX compared with SS in agreement with the recent experiment, (ii) there is no intrinsic pinning effect for SkX and the deformation of the internal structure of Skyrmion reduces the pinning effect dramatically, (iii) the Bragg intensity of SkX shows strong time-dependence as can be observed by neutron scattering experiment.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Spin-Wave Modes and Their Intense Excitation Effects in Skyrmion Crystals

We theoretically study spin-wave modes and their intense excitations activated by microwave magnetic fields in the skyrmion-crystal phase of insulating magnets by numerically analyzing a two-dimensional spin model using the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. Two peaks of spin-wave resonances with frequencies of ~1 GHz are found for in-plane a.c. magnetic field where distribution of the out-of-plane spin components circulates around each skyrmion core. Directions of the circulations are opposite between these two modes, and hence the spectra exhibit salient dependence on the circular polarization of irradiating microwave. A breathing-type mode is also found for out-of-plane a.c. magnetic field. By intensively exciting these collective modes, melting of the skyrmion crystal accompanied by a red shift of the resonant frequency is achieved within nano seconds.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Theory of spin-phonon coupling in multiferroic Mn perovskites

Magnetoelectric phase diagrams of the rare-earth (R) Mn perovskites RMnO3 are theoretically studied by focusing on crucial roles of the symmetric magnetostriction or the Peierls-type spin-phonon coupling through extending our previous work [M. Mochizuki et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 037205 (2010)]. We first construct a microscopic classical Heisenberg model for RMnO3 including the frustrated spin exchanges, single-ion anisotropy, and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. We also incorporate the lattice degree of freedom coupled to the Mn spins via the Peierls-type magnetostriction. By analyzing this model using the replica-exchange Monte-Carlo technique, we reproduce the entire phase diagram of RMnO3 in the plane of temperature and magnitude of the orthorhombic lattice distortion. Surprisingly it is found that in the ab-plane spiral spin phase, the (S.S)-type magnetostriction plays an important role for the ferroelectric order with polarization P//a whose contribution is comparable to or larger than the contribution from the (SxS)-type magnetostriction, whereas in the bc-plane spiral phase, the ferroelectric order with P//c is purely of (SxS) origin. This explains much larger P in the ab-plane spiral phase than the bc-plane spiral phase as observed experimentally, and gives a clue how to enhance the magnetoelectric coupling in the spin-spiral-based multiferroics. We also predict a noncollinear deformation of the E-type spin structure resulting in the finite (SxS) contribution to the ferroelectric order with P//a, and a wide coexisting regime of the commensurate E and incommensurate spiral states, which resolve several experimental puzzles.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Numerical Simulation of Spin-Chirality Switching in Multiferroics via Intense Electromagnon Excitations

Chirality, i.e., the right- and left-handedness of structure, is one of the key concepts in many fields of science including biology, chemistry and physics, and its manipulation is an issue of vital importance. The electron spins in solids can form chiral configurations. In perovskite manganites RMnO3 (R=Tb, Dy,...etc), the Mn-spins form a cycloidal structure, which induces ferroelectric polarization (P) through the relativistic spin-orbit interaction. This magnetism-induced ferroelectricity (multiferroics) and associated infrared-active spin waves (electromagnons) open a promising route to control the spins by purely electric means in a very short time. In this paper, we show theoretically with an accurate spin Hamiltonian for TbMnO3 that a picosecond optical pulse can switch the spin chirality by intensely exciting the electromagnons with a terahertz frequency.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Spin model of magnetostrictions in multiferroic Mn perovskites

We theoretically study origins of the ferroelectricity in the multiferroic phases of the rare-earth (R) Mn perovskites, RMnO3, by constructing a realistic spin model including the spin-phonon coupling, which reproduces the entire experimental phase diagram in the plane of temperature and Mn-O-Mn bond angle for the first time. Surprisingly we reveal a significant contribution of the symmetric (S.S)-type magnetostriction to the ferroelectricity even in a spin-spiral-based multiferroic phase, which can be larger than the usually expected antisymmetric (SxS)-type contribution. This explains well the nontrivial behavior of the electric polarization. We also predict the noncollinear deformation of the E-type spin structure and a wide coexisting regime of the E and spiral states, which resolve several experimental puzzles.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Theoretically predicted picosecond optical switching of spin chirality in multiferroics

We show theoretically with an accurate spin Hamiltonian describing the multiferroic Mn perovskites that the application of the picosecond optical pulse with a terahertz frequency can switch the spin chirality through intensely exciting the electromagnons. There are four states with different spin chiralities, i.e. clockwise and counterclockwise ab/bc-plane spin spirals, and by tuning the strength, shape and length of the pulse, the switching among these states can be controlled at will. Dynamical pattern formation during the switching is also discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Theory of magnetic switching of ferroelectricity in spiral magnets

We propose a microscopic theory for magnetic switching of electric polarization (P) in the spin-spiral multiferroics by taking TbMnO3 and DyMnO3 as examples. We reproduce their phase diagrams under a magnetic field H_ex by Monte-Carlo simulation of an accurate spin model and reveal that competition among the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, spin anisotropy, and spin exchange is controlled by the applied H_ex, resulting in magnetic transitions accompanied by reorientation or vanishing of P. We also discuss the relevance of the proposed mechanisms to many other multiferroics such as LiCu2O2, MnWO4, and Ni3V2O4

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Roles of Bond Alternation in Magnetic Phase Diagram of RMnO3

In order to investigate nature of the antiferromagnetic structures in perovskite RMnO3, we study a Heisenberg J1-J2 model with bond alternation using analytical and numerical approaches. The magnetic phase diagram which includes incommensurate spiral states and commensurate collinear states is reproduced. We discuss that the magnetic structure with up-up-down-down spin configuration (E-type structure) and the ferroelectricity emerge cooperatively to stabilize this phase. Magnetoelastic couplings are crucial to understand the magnetic and electric phase diagram of RMnO3.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Theory of electromagnon in the multiferroic Mn perovskites: Vital role of higher harmonic components of the spiral spin order

We study theoretically the electromagnon and its optical spectrum (OS) of the terahertz-frequency regime in the magnetic-spiral-induced multiferroic phases of the rare-earth (R) Mn perovskites, RMnO3, taking into account the elliptical deformation or the higher harmonics of the spiral spin configuration, which has been missed so far. A realistic spin Hamiltonian, which gives phase diagrams in agreement with experiments, resolves a long standing puzzle, i.e., the double-peak structure of the OS with a larger low-energy peak originating from magnon modes hybridized with the zone-edge state. We also predict the magnon branches associated with the electromagnon, which can be tested by neutron-scattering experiment.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Microscopic Model and Phase Diagrams of the Multiferroic Perovskite Manganites

Orthorhombically distorted perovskite manganites, RMnO3 with R being a trivalent rare-earth ion, exhibit a variety of magnetic and electric phases including multiferroic (i.e. concurrently magnetic and ferroelectric) phases and fascinating magnetoelectric phenomena. We theoretically study the phase diagram of RMnO3 by constructing a microscopic spin model, which includes not only the superexchange interaction but also the single-ion anisotropy (SIA) and the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interaction (DMI). Analysis of this model using the Monte-Carlo method reproduces the experimental phase diagrams as functions of the R-ion radius, which contain two different multiferroic states, i.e. the ab-plane spin cycloid with ferroelectric polarization P//a and the bc-plane spin cycloid with P//c. The orthorhombic lattice distortion or the second-neighbor spin exchanges enhanced by this distortion exquisitely controls the keen competition between these two phases through tuning the SIA and DMI energies. This leads to a lattice-distortion-induced reorientation of P from a to c in agreement with the experiments. We also discuss spin structures in the A-type antiferromagnetic state, those in the cycloidal spin states, origin and nature of the sinusoidal collinear spin state, and many other issues.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Mechanism of Lattice-Distortion-Induced Electric-Polarization Flop in the Multiferroic Perovskite Manganites

Magnetoelectric phase diagrams of the perovskite manganites, Eu1-xYxMnO3 and Gd1-xTbxMnO3, are theoretically studied. We first construct a microscopic model, and then analyze the model using the Monte-Carlo method. We reproduce the diagrams, which contain two different multiferroic states, i.e., the ab-plane spin cycloid with electric polarization P//a and the bc-plane spin cycloid with P//c. We reveal that their competition originates from a conflict between the single-ion anisotropy and the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interaction, which is controlled by the second-neighbor spin exchanges enhanced by the GdFeO3-type distortion. This leads to a P flop from a to c with increasing x in agreement with the experiments.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Precise Control of Band Filling in NaxCoO2

Electronic properties of the sodium cobaltate NaxCoO2 are systematically studied through a precise control of band filling. Resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements are carried out on a series of high-quality polycrystalline samples prepared at 200 C with Na content in a wide range of 0.35 =< x =< 0.70. It is found that dramatic changes in electronic properties take place at a critical Na concentration x* that lies between 0.58 and 0.59, which separates a Pauli paramagnetic and a Curie-Weiss metals. It is suggested that at x* the Fermi level touches the bottom of the a1g band at the gamma point, leading to a crucial change in the density of states across x* and the emergence of a small electron pocket around the gamma point for x > x*.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Specific Heat and Superfluid Density for Possible Two Different Superconducting States in NaxCoO2.yH2O

Several thermodynamic measurements for the cobaltate superconductor, NaxCoO2.yH2O, have so far provided results inconsistent with each other. In order to solve the discrepancies, we microscopically calculate the temperature dependences of specific heat and superfluid density for this superconductor. We show that two distinct specific-heat data from Oeschler et al. and Jin et al. are reproduced, respectively, for the extended s-wave state and the p-wave state. Two different superfluid-density data are also reproduced for each case. These support our recent proposal of possible two different pairing states in this material. In addition, we discuss the experimentally proposed large residual Sommerfeld coefficient and extremely huge effective carrier mass.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Deformation of Electronic Structures Due to CoO6 Distortion and Phase Diagrams of NaxCoO2.yH2O

Motivated by recently reported experimental phase diagrams, we study the effects of CoO6 distortion on the electronic structure in NaxCoO2.yH2O. We construct the multiband tight-binding model by employing the LDA result. Analyzing this model, we show the deformation of band dispersions and Fermi-surface topology as functions of CoO2-layer thickness. Considering these results together with previous theoretical ones, we propose a possible schematic phase diagram with three successive phases: the extended s-wave superconductivity (SC), the magnetic order, and the spin-triplet SC phases when the Co valence number s is +3.4. A phase diagram with only one phase of spin-triplet SC is also proposed for the s=+3.5 case.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

CoO2-Layer-Thickness Dependence of Magnetic Properties and Possible Two Different Superconducting States in NaxCoO2.yH2O

In order to understand the experimentally proposed phase diagrams of NaxCoO2.yH2O, we theoretically study the CoO2-layer-thickness dependence of magnetic and superconducting (SC) properties by analyzing a multiorbital Hubbard model using the random phase approximation. When the Co valence (s) is +3.4, we show that the magnetic fluctuation exhibits strong layer-thickness dependence where it is enhanced at finite (zero) momentum in the thicker (thinner) layer system. A magnetic order phase appears sandwiched by two SC phases, consistent with the experiments. These two SC phases have different pairing states where one is the singlet extended s-wave state and the other is the triplet p-wave state. On the other hand, only a triplet p-wave SC phase with dome-shaped behavior of Tc is predicted when s=+3.5, which is also consistent with the experiments. Controversial experimental results on the magnetic properties are also discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Role of spin-orbit coupling on the spin triplet pairing in Na_{x}CoO_{2}yH_{2}O II: Multiple phase diagram under the magnetic field

The possibility of multiple phase diagram in the novel superconductor Na_{x}CoO_{2}yH_{2}O is analyzed on the basis of the multi-orbital Hubbard model including the atomic spin-orbit coupling. We have shown that the spin triplet pairing state is stable in this model. The p-wave (f-wave) state is stabilized when the Hund's rule coupling is large (small). In the precedent paper, we have determined the direction of d-vector at T=Tc and H=0 within the linearized Dyson-Gorkov equation. In this paper, the pairing state below Tc and under the magnetic field is determined within the weak coupling approximation including the paramagnetic effect. We find that the p+f coexistent state is stabilized at low temperatures in a part of parameter range. We point out that the phase diagram in the H-T plane is quite different between the p-wave, f-wave and p+f-wave superconductivities. The characteristics of each phase are clarified by showing the magnetic susceptibility and specific heat. We discuss the comparison with experimental results and suggest some future experiments to detect the multiple phase transition.

cond-mat.supr-con↗