arXiv subjects

P. E. Roy

Publications and source records attributed to P. E. Roy.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Inertial domain wall characterization in layered multisublattice antiferromagnets

The motion of a Néel-like ${180}^{\circ}$ domain wall induced by a time-dependent staggered spin-orbit field in the layered collinear antiferromagnet Mn$_2$Au is explored. Through an effective version of the two sublattice nonlinear $σ$-model which does not take into account the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction directed along the tetragonal c-axis, it is possible to replicate accurately the relativistic and inertial traces intrinsic to the magnetic texture dynamics obtained through atomistic spin dynamics simulations for quasistatic processes. In the case in which the steady-state magnetic soliton motion is extinguished due to the abrupt shutdown of the external stimulus, its stored relativistic exchange energy is transformed into a complex translational mobility, being the rigid domain wall profile approximation no longer suitable. Although it is not feasible to carry out a detailed follow-up of its temporal evolution in this case, it is possible to predict the inertial-based distance travelled by the domain wall in relation to its steady-state relativistic mass. This exhaustive dynamical characterization for different time-dependent regimes of the driving force is of potential interest in antiferromagnetic domain wall-based device applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Breathing skyrmions in chiral antiferromagnets

Breathing oscillations of skyrmions in chiral antiferromagnets can be excited by a temporal modification of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction or magnetocrystalline anisotropy strength. We employ an adiabatic approximation and derive a formula for the potential that directly implies breathing oscillations. We study the nonlinear regime and the features of larger amplitude oscillations. We show that there is a maximum amplitude supported by the potential. As a consequence, we predict theoretically and observe numerically skyrmion annihilation events due to excitation of large amplitude breathing oscillations. The process is efficient when the skyrmion is mildly excited so that its radius initially grows, while the annihilation event is eventually induced by the internal breathing dynamics. We reveal the counter-intuitive property that the skyrmion possesses a nonzero kinetic energy at the moment of its annihilation. Finally, the frequency of small amplitude breathing oscillations is determined.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Topological energy release from collision of relativistic antiferromagnetic solitons

Magnetic solitons offer functionalities as information carriers in multiple spintronic and magnonic applications. However, their potential for nanoscale energy transport has not been revealed. Here we demonstrate that antiferromagnetic solitons, e.g. domain walls, can uptake, transport and release energy. The key for this functionality resides in their relativistic kinematics; their self-energy increases with velocity due to Lorentz contraction of the soliton and their dynamics can be accelerated up to the effective speed of light of the magnetic medium. Furthermore, their classification in robust topological classes allows to selectively release this energy back into the medium by colliding solitons with opposite topology. Our work uncovers important energy-related aspects of the physics of antiferromagnetic solitons and opens up the attractive possibility for spin-based nanoscale and ultra-fast energy transport devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Walker-like Domain Wall breakdown in layered Antiferromagnets driven by staggered spin-orbit fields

Within linear continuum theory, no magnetic texture can propagate faster than the maximum group velocity of its spin waves. Here we report a transient regime due to the appearance of additional antiferromagnetic textures that breaks the Lorentz translational invariance of the magnetic system by atomistic spin dynamics simulations. This dynamical regime is akin to domain wall Walker-breakdown in ferromagnets and involves the nucleation of an antiferromagnetic domain wall pair. Subsequently, one of the nucleated 180$^{\circ}$ domain wall creates with the original domain wall a 360$^{\circ}$ spin-rotation which remains static even under the action of the spin-orbit field. The other 180$^{\circ}$ domain wall becomes accelerated to super-magnonic speeds. Under large spin-orbit fields, multiple domain wall generation and recombination is obtained which may explain the recently experimentally observed current pulse induce shattering of large domain structures into small fragmented domains and the subsequent slow recreation of large-scale domain formation prior current pulse.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Controlled anisotropic dynamics of tightly bound skyrmions in a synthetic ferrimagnet due to skyrmion-deformation mediated by induced uniaxial in-plane anisotropy

We study speed and skew deflection-angle dependence on skyrmion deformations of a tightly bound two-skyrmion state in a synthetic ferrimagnet. We condsider here, an in-plane uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy-term in order to induce lateral shape distortions and an overall size modulation of the skyrmions due to a reduction of the effective out-of-plane anisotropy, thus affecting the skyrmion speed, skew-deflection and inducing anisotropy in these quantities with respect to the driving current-angle. Because of frustrated dipolar interactions in a synthetic ferrimagnet, sizeable skyrmion deformations can be induced with relatively small induced anisotropy constants and thus a wide range of tuneability can be achieved. We also show analytically, that a consequence of the skyrmion deformation can, under certain conditions cause a skyrmion deflection with respect to driving-current angles, unrelated to the topological charge. Results are analyzed by a combination of micromagnetic simulations and a compound particle description within the Thiele-formalism from which an over-all mobility tensor is constructed. This work offers an additional path towards in-situ tuning of skyrmion dynamics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Electrically induced and detected Néel vector reversal in a collinear antiferromagnet

Electrical detection of the 180 deg spin reversal, which is the basis of the operation of ferromagnetic memories, is among the outstanding challenges in the research of antiferromagnetic spintronics. Analogous effects to the ferromagnetic giant or tunneling magnetoresistance have not yet been realized in antiferromagnetic multilayers. Anomalous Hall effect (AHE), which has been recently employed for spin reversal detection in non-collinear antiferromagnets, is limited to materials that crystalize in ferromagnetic symmetry groups. Here we demonstrate electrical detection of the 180 deg Néel vector reversal in CuMnAs which comprises two collinear spin sublattices and belongs to an antiferromagnetic symmetry group with no net magnetic moment. We detect the spin reversal by measuring a second-order magnetotransport coefficient whose presence is allowed in systems with broken space inversion symmetry. The phenomenology of the non-linear transport effect we observe in CuMnAs is consistent with a microscopic scenario combining anisotropic magneto-resistance (AMR) with a transient tilt of the Néel vector due to a current-induced, staggered spin-orbit field. We use the same staggered spin-orbit field, but of a higher amplitude, for the electrical switching between reversed antiferromagnetic states which are stable and show no sign of decay over 25 hour probing times.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Inertial displacement of a domain wall excited by ultra-short circularly polarized laser pulses

Domain wall motion driven by ultra-short laser pulses is a prerequisite for envisaged low-power spintronics combining storage of information in magneto electronic devices with high speed and long distance transmission of information encoded in circularly polarized light. Here we demonstrate the conversion of the circular polarization of incident femtosecond laser pulses into inertial displacement of a domain wall in a ferromagnetic semiconductor. In our study we combine electrical measurements and magneto-optical imaging of the domain wall displacement with micromagnetic simulations. The optical spin transfer torque acts over a picosecond recombination time of the spin polarized photo-carriers which only leads to a deformation of the internal domain wall structure. We show that subsequent depinning and micro-meter distance displacement without an applied magnetic field or any other external stimuli can only occur due to the inertia of the domain wall.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Robust Picosecond writing of a Layered Antiferromagnet by Staggered Spin-Orbit-Fields

Ultrafast electrical switching by current-induced staggered spin-orbit fields, with minimal risk of overshoot, is shown in layered easy-plane antiferromagnets with basal-plane biaxial anisotropy. The reliable switching is due to the field-like torque, relaxing stringent requirements with respect to precision in the time-duration of the excitation pulse. We investigate the switching characteristics as a function of the spin-orbit field strength, pulse duration, pulse rise and fall time and damping by atomistic spin dynamics simulations and an effective equation of motion for the antiferromagnetic order-parameter. The condition, determining the critical spin-orbit field strength for switching is determined and we go on to show that robust picosecond writing is possible at feasible current magnitudes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Optical spin transfer torque driven domain wall motion in ferromagnetic semiconductor

We demonstrate optical manipulation of the position of a domain wall in a dilute magnetic semiconductor, GaMnAsP. Two main contributions are identified. Firstly, photocarrier spin exerts a spin transfer torque on the magnetization via the exchange interaction. The direction of the domain wall motion can be controlled using the helicity of the laser. Secondly, the domain wall is attracted to the hot-spot generated by the focused laser. Unlike magnetic field driven domain wall depinning, these mechanisms directly drive domain wall motion, providing an optical tweezer like ability to position and locally probe domain walls.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

Soliton pair dynamics in patterned ferromagnetic ellipses

Confinement alters the energy landscape of nanoscale magnets, leading to the appearance of unusual magnetic states, such as vortices, for example. Many basic questions concerning dynamical and interaction effects remain unanswered, and nanomagnets are convenient model systems for studying these fundamental physical phenomena. A single vortex in restricted geometry, also known as a non-localized soliton, possesses a characteristic translational excitation mode that corresponds to spiral-like motion of the vortex core around its equilibrium position. Here, we investigate, by a microwave reflection technique, the dynamics of magnetic soliton pairs confined in lithographically defined, ferromagnetic Permalloy ellipses. Through a comparison with micromagnetic simulations, the observed strong resonances in the subgigahertz frequency range can be assigned to the translational modes of vortex pairs with parallel or antiparallel core polarizations. Vortex polarizations play a negligible role in the static interaction between two vortices, but their effect dominates the dynamics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Magnetic Vortex Resonance in Patterned Ferromagnetic Dots

We report a high-resolution experimental detection of the resonant behavior of magnetic vortices confined in small disk-shaped ferromagnetic dots. The samples are magnetically soft Fe-Ni disks of diameter 1.1 and 2.2 um, and thickness 20 and 40 nm patterned via electron beam lithography onto microwave co-planar waveguides. The vortex excitation spectra were probed by a vector network analyzer operating in reflection mode, which records the derivative of the real and the imaginary impedance as a function of frequency. The spectra show well-defined resonance peaks in magnetic fields smaller than the characteristic vortex annihilation field. Resonances at 162 and 272 MHz were detected for 2.2 and 1.1 um disks with thickness 40 nm, respectively. A resonance peak at 83 MHz was detected for 20-nm thick, 2-um diameter disks. The resonance frequencies exhibit weak field dependence, and scale as a function of the dot geometrical aspect ratio. The measured frequencies are well described by micromagnetic and analytical calculations that rely only on known properties of the dots (such as the dot diameter, thickness, saturation magnetization, and exchange stiffness constant) without any adjustable parameters. We find that the observed resonance originates from the translational motion of the magnetic vortex core.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗