arXiv subjects

Matthias Sitte

Publications and source records attributed to Matthias Sitte.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

Potential implementation of Reservoir Computing models based on magnetic skyrmions

Reservoir Computing is a type of recursive neural network commonly used for recognizing and predicting spatio-temporal events relying on a complex hierarchy of nested feedback loops to generate a memory functionality. The Reservoir Computing paradigm does not require any knowledge of the reservoir topology or node weights for training purposes and can therefore utilize naturally existing networks formed by a wide variety of physical processes. Most efforts prior to this have focused on utilizing memristor techniques to implement recursive neural networks. This paper examines the potential of skyrmion fabrics formed in magnets with broken inversion symmetry that may provide an attractive physical instantiation for Reservoir Computing.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

A magnetic skyrmion as a non-linear resistive element - a potential building block for reservoir computing

Inspired by the human brain, there is a strong effort to find alternative models of information processing capable of imitating the high energy efficiency of neuromorphic information processing. One possible realization of cognitive computing are reservoir computing networks. These networks are built out of non-linear resistive elements which are recursively connected. We propose that a skyrmion network embedded in frustrated magnetic films may provide a suitable physical implementation for reservoir computing applications. The significant key ingredient of such a network is a two-terminal device with non-linear voltage characteristics originating from single-layer magnetoresistive effects, like the anisotropic magnetoresistance or the recently discovered non-collinear magnetoresistance. The most basic element for a reservoir computing network built from "skyrmion fabrics" is a single skyrmion embedded in a ferromagnetic ribbon. In order to pave the way towards reservoir computing systems based on skyrmion fabrics, here we simulate and analyze i) the current flow through a single magnetic skyrmion due to the anisotropic magneto-resistive effect and ii) the combined physics of local pinning and the anisotropic magneto-resistive effect.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2016

Skyrmion production on demand by homogeneous DC currents

Topological magnetic textures - like skyrmions - have become a major player in the design of next-generation magnetic storage technology due to their stability and the control of their motion by ultra-low current densities. A major challenge to develop this new skyrmion-based technology is to achieve the controlled and deterministic creation of magnetic skyrmions without the need of complex setups. We demonstrate a solution to this challenge by showing how to create skyrmions and other magnetic textures in ferromagnetic thin films by means of a homogeneous DC current and without requiring Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions. This is possible by exploiting a static loss of stability arising from the interplay of current-induced spin-transfer torque and a spatially inhomogeneous magnetization, which can be achieved, e.g., by locally engineering the anisotropy, the magnetic field, or other magnetic interactions. The magnetic textures are created controllably, efficiently, and periodically with a period that can be tuned by the applied current strength. We propose specific experimental setups realizable with simple materials, such as cobalt based materials, to observe the periodic formation of skyrmions. We show that adding chiral interactions will not influence the basics of the generations but then influence the consequent dynamics with respect to the stabilization of topological textures. Our findings allow for the production of skyrmions on demand in simple ferromagnetic thin films by homogeneous DC currents.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Current-driven periodic domain wall creation in ferromagnetic nano-wires

We predict the electrical generation and injection of domain walls into a ferromagnetic nano-wire without the need of an assisting magnetic field. Our analytical and numerical results show that above a critical current $j_{c}$ domain walls are injected into the nano-wire with a period $T \sim (j-j_{c})^{-1/2}$. Importantly, domain walls can be produced periodically even in a simple exchange ferromagnet with uniaxial anisotropy, without requiring any standard "twisting" interaction like Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya or dipole-dipole interactions. We show analytically that this process and the period exponents are universal and do not depend on the peculiarities of the microscopic Hamiltonian. Finally we give a specific proposal for an experimental realization.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Interaction Correction to the Magneto-Electric Polarizability of $Z_{2}$ Topological Insulators

When time-reversal symmetry is weakly broken and interactions are neglected, the surface of a $Z_{2}$ topological insulator supports a half-quantized Hall conductivity $\sigma_{S} = e^{2}/(2h)$. A surface Hall conductivity in an insulator is equivalent to a bulk magneto-electric polarizability, i.e. to a magnetic field dependent charge polarization. By performing an explicit calculation for the case in which the surface is approximated by a two-dimensional massive Dirac model and time-reversal symmetry is broken by weak ferromagnetism in the bulk, we demonstrate that there is a non-universal interaction correction to $\sigma_{S}$. For thin films interaction corrections to the top and bottom surface Hall conductivities cancel, however, implying that there is no correction to the quantized anomalous Hall effect in magnetically doped topological insulators.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Half-metallic magnetism and the search for better spin valves

We use a previously proposed theory for the temperature dependence of tunneling magnetoresistance to shed light on ongoing efforts to optimize spin valves. First we show that a mechanism in which spin valve performance at finite temperatures is limited by uncorrelated thermal fluctuations of magnetization orientations on opposite sides of a tunnel junction is in good agreement with recent studies of the temperature-dependent magnetoresistance of high quality tunnel junctions with MgO barriers. Using this insight, we propose a simple formula which captures the advantages for spin-valve optimization of using materials with a high spin polarization of Fermi-level tunneling electrons, and of using materials with high ferromagnetic transition temperatures. We conclude that half-metallic ferromagnets can yield better spin-value performance than current elemental transition metal ferromagnet/MgO systems only if their ferromagnetic transition temperatures exceed $\sim 950~\mathrm{K}$.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Real-Space Berry Phases - Skyrmion Soccer

Berry phases occur when a system adiabatically evolves along a closed curve in parameter space. This tutorial-like article focuses on Berry phases accumulated in real space. In particular, we consider the situation where an electron traverses a smooth magnetic structure, while its magnetic moment adjusts to the local magnetization direction. Mapping the adiabatic physics to an effective problem in terms of emergent fields reveals that certain magnetic textures - skyrmions - are tailormade to study these Berry phase effects.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Interaction effects on almost flat surface bands in topological insulators

We consider ferromagnetic instabilities of two-dimensional helical Dirac fermions hosted on the surface of three-dimensional topological insulators. We investigate ways to increase the role of interactions by means of modifying the bulk properties which in turn changes both the surface Dirac theory and the screening of interactions. We discuss both the long-ranged part of the Coulomb interactions controlled by the dimensionless coupling constant $α= e^{2}/(\hbar εv_{F}^{\mathrm{surf}})$ as well as the effects of local interactions parametrized by the ratio $U_{\mathrm{surf}}/D_{\mathrm{surf}}$ of a local interaction on the surface, $U_{\mathrm{surf}}$, and the surface bandwidth, $D_{\mathrm{surf}}$. If large compared to 1, both mechanisms can induce spontaneously surface ferromagnetism, thereby gapping the surface Dirac metal and inducing an anomalous quantum Hall effect. We investigate two mechanisms which can naturally lead to small Fermi velocities $v_{F}^{\mathrm{surf}}$ and a corresponding small bandwidth $D_{\mathrm{surf}}$ at the surface when the bulk band gap is reduced. The same mechanisms can, however, also lead to an enhanced screening of surface interactions. While in all considered cases the long-ranged part of the Coulomb interaction is screened efficiently, $α\lesssim 1$, we discuss situations, where $U_{\mathrm{surf}}/D_{\mathrm{surf}}$ becomes \emph{parametrically}\ large compared to 1, thus inducing surface magnetism.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Topological insulators in magnetic fields: Quantum Hall effect and edge channels with non-quantized θ-term

We investigate how a magnetic field induces one-dimensional edge channels when the two-dimensional surface states of three-dimensional topological insulators become gapped. The Hall effect, measured by contacting those channels, remains quantized even in situations where the θ-term in the bulk and the associated surface Hall conductivities, σ_{xy}^S, are not quantized due to the breaking of time-reversal symmetry. The quantization arises as the θ-term changes by \pm 2 πn along a loop around n edge channels. Model calculations show how an interplay of orbital and Zeeman effects leads to quantum Hall transitions, where channels get redistributed along the edges of the crystal. The network of edges opens new possibilities to investigate the coupling of edge channels.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗