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R. F. L. Evans

Publications and source records attributed to R. F. L. Evans.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Chaotic Proliferation of Relativistic Domain Walls for Reservoir Computing

Magnetic domain walls in antiferromagnets have been proposed as key components for faster conventional information processing, thanks to their enhanced stability and ultrafast propagation. However, how non-conventional computing methods like reservoir computing might take advantage of these properties remains an open question. In this work, we show how complex domain wall patterns can form through the proliferation of multiple domain walls from the energy stored in a single seed domain wall driven to move at a high speed close to the relativistic limit. We demonstrate that the resulting magnetic texture, consisting of up to hundreds of domain walls with an overall conserved topological charge as the initial seed domain wall, can possess chaotic spatiotemporal dynamics depending on the strength of staggered spin-orbit field induced via applied current. These findings allow us to design a multiple-domain-wall reservoir with high short-term memory and nonlinearity with respect to spin-orbit field inputs, that is suitable for ultrafast, energy-efficient, non-conventional reservoir computing.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Antiferromagnetic Switching in Mn$_2$Au Using a Novel Laser Induced Optical Torque on Ultrafast Timescales

Efficient manipulation of the Néel vector in antiferromagnets can be induced by generation of spin orbit (SOT) or spin-transfer (STT) torques. Here we predict another possibility for antiferromagnetic domain switching by using a non-zero staggered field induced from optical laser excitation. We present results on the atomistic scale dynamic simulations from the application of a novel laser induced torque using optical frequencies for all-optical switching (AOS) of the Néel vector in the antiferromagnet Mn$_2$Au. The driving mechanism takes advantage of the sizeable 'exchange enhancement' characteristic of antiferromagnets, allowing for small picosecond 90 and 180 degree precessional switching with laser fluences on the order of mJ/cm$^2$. The symmetry of these novel torques are highly dependent on the time-varying magnetisation direction, creating a sign change in the torque which greatly minimises the "over-shooting problem" common to SOT and STT. Lastly, we demonstrate the opportunity for this laser optical torque to deterministically switch single magnetic domains.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Phase Boundary Exchange Coupling in the Mixed Magnetic Phase Regime of a Pd-doped FeRh Epilayer

Spin-wave resonance measurements were performed in the mixed magnetic phase regime of a Pd-doped FeRh epilayer that appears as the first-order ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic phase transition takes place. It is seen that the measured value of the exchange stiffness is suppressed throughout the measurement range when compared to the expected value of the fully ferromagnetic regime, extracted via the independent means of a measurement of the Curie point, for only slight changes in the ferromagnetic volume fraction. This behavior is attributed to the influence of the antiferromagnetic phase: inspired by previous experiments that show ferromagnetism to be most persistent at the surfaces and interfaces of FeRh thin films, we modelled the antiferromagnetic phase as forming a thin layer in the middle of the epilayer through which the two ferromagnetic layers are coupled up to a certain critical thickness. The development of this exchange stiffness is then consistent with that expected from the development of an exchange coupling across the magnetic phase boundary, as a consequence of a thickness dependent phase transition taking place in the antiferromagnetic regions and is supported by complimentary computer simulations of atomistic spin-dynamics. The development of the Gilbert damping parameter extracted from the ferromagnetic resonance investigations is consistent with this picture.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Spin-current-mediated rapid magnon localisation and coalescence after ultrafast optical pumping of ferrimagnetic alloys

Sub-picosecond magnetisation manipulation via femtosecond optical pumping has attracted wide attention ever since its original discovery in 1996. However, the spatial evolution of the magnetisation is not yet well understood, in part due to the difficulty in experimentally probing such rapid dynamics. Here, we find evidence of rapid magnetic order recovery in materials with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy via nonlinear magnon processes. We identify both localisation and coalescence regimes, whereby localised magnetic textures nucleate and subsequently evolve in accordance with a power law formalism. Coalescence is observed for optical excitations both above and below the switching threshold. Simulations indicate that the ultrafast generation of noncollinear magnetisation via optical pumping establishes exchange-mediated spin currents with an equivalent 100% spin polarised charge current density of $10^8$ A/cm$^2$. Such large spin currents precipitate rapid recovery of magnetic order after optical pumping. These processes suggest an ultrafast optical route for the stabilization of desired meta-stable states, e.g., isolated skyrmions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Hysteresis features of the transition-metal dichalcogenides VX$_2$ (X=S, Se, and Te)

Very recently, it has been shown that vanadium dichalcogenides (VX$_2$, X=S, Se and Te) monolayers show intrinsic ferromagnetism, and their critical temperatures are nearly to or beyond room temperature. Hence, they would have wide potential applications in next-generation nanoelectronic and spintronic devices. In this work, being inspired by a recent study we systematically perform Monte Carlo simulations based on single-site update Metropolis algorithm to investigate the hysteresis features of VX$_2$ monolayers for a wide range of temperatures up to 600 K. Our simulation results indicate that, both remanence and coercivity values tend to decrease with increasing temperature. Furthermore, it is found that hysteresis curves start to evolve from rectangular at the lower temperature regions to nearly S-shaped with increasing temperature.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

The Landau-Lifshitz equation in atomistic models

The Landau-Lifshitz (LL) equation, originally proposed at the macrospin level, is increasingly used in Atomistic Spin Dynamic (ASD) models. The models are based on a spin Hamiltonian featuring atomic spins of fixed length, with the exchange introduced using the Heisenberg formalism. ASD models are proving a powerful approach to the fundamental understanding of ultrafast magnetisation dynamics, including the prediction of the thermally induced magnetisation switching phenomenon in which the magnetisation is reversed using an ultrafast laser pulse in the absence of an externally applied field. The paper outlines the ASD model approach and considers the role and limitations of the LL equation in this context.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Quantitative simulation of temperature dependent magnetization dynamics and equilibrium properties of elemental ferromagnets

Atomistic spin model simulations are immensely useful in determining temperature dependent magnetic prop- erties, but are known to give the incorrect dependence of the magnetization on temperature compared to exper- iment owing to their classical origin. We find a single parameter rescaling of thermal fluctuations which gives quantitative agreement of the temperature dependent magnetization between atomistic simulations and experi- ment for the elemental ferromagnets Ni, Fe, Co and Gd. Simulating the sub-picosecond magnetization dynam- ics of Ni under the action of a laser pulse we also find quantitative agreement with experiment in the ultrafast regime. This enables the quantitative determination of temperature dependent magnetic properties allowing for accurate simulations of magnetic materials at all temperatures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Nature of magnetotransport in metal/insulating-ferromagnet heterostructures: Spin Hall magnetoresistance or magnetic proximity effect

We study the anomalous Hall-like effect (AHLE) and the effective anisotropic magnetoresistance (EAMR) in antiferromagnetic γ -IrMn3/Y3Fe5O12(YIG) and Pt/YIG heterostructures. For γ -IrMn3/YIG, the EAMR and the AHLE resistivity change sign with temperature due to the competition between the spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) and the magnetic proximity effect (MPE) induced by the interfacial antiferromagnetic uncompensated magnetic moment. In contrast, for Pt/YIG the AHLE resistivity changes sign with temperature whereas no sign change is observed in the EAMR. This is because the MPE and the SMR play a dominant role in the AHLE and the EAMR, respectively. As new types of galvanomagnetic property, the AHLE and the EAMR have proved vital in disentangling the MPE and the SMR in metal/insulating-ferromagnet heterostructures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Galvanomagnetic effects and manipulation of antiferromagnetic interfacial uncompensated magnetic moment in exchange-biased bilayers

In this work, IrMn$_{3}$/insulating-Y$_{3}$Fe$_{5}$O$_{12}$ exchange-biased bilayers are studied. The behavior of the net magnetic moment $Δm_{AFM}$ in the antiferromagnet is directly probed by anomalous and planar Hall effects, and anisotropic magnetoresistance. The $Δm_{AFM}$ is proved to come from the interfacial uncompensated magnetic moment. We demonstrate that the exchange bias and rotational hysteresis are induced by the irreversible switching of the $Δm_{AFM}$. In the training effect, the $Δm_{AFM}$ changes continuously. This work highlights the fundamental role of the $Δm_{AFM}$ in the exchange bias and facilitates the manipulation of antiferromagnetic spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Atomistic simulation of sub-nanosecond non-equilibrium field cooling processes for magnetic data storage applications

Thermally assisted magnetic writing is an important technology utilizing temperature dependent magnetic properties to enable orientation of a magnetic data storage medium. Using an atomistic spin model we study non-equilibrium field cooled magnetization processes on sub-nanosecond timescales required for device applications. We encapsulate the essential physics of the process in a TRM-T curve and show that for fast timescales heating to the Curie temperature is necessary where the magnetic relaxation time is shortest. Furthermore we demonstrate the requirement for large magnetic fields to achieve a high thermoremanent magnetization necessary for fast recording or data rates.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Atomistic calculation of the thickness and temperature dependence of exchange coupling through a dilute magnetic oxide

The exchange coupling of two magnetic layers via a diffuse oxide interlayer is studied with an atomistic spin model. We investigate the effect of magnetic concentration and oxide layer thickness on the effective exchange coupling strength and find an exponential dependence of the coupling strength on the oxide thickness without the need for magnetic pinholes. Furthermore we show that exchange coupling has a strong temperature dependence which is significant for the reversal dynamics during heat assisted magnetic recording.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Ultrafast dynamical path for the switching of a ferrimagnet after femtosecond heating

Ultrafast laser-induced magnetic switching in rare earth, transition metal ferrimagnetic alloys has recently been reported to occur by ultrafast heating alone. Using atomistic simulations and a ferrimagnetic Landau-Lifshitz-Bloch formalism, we demonstrate that for switching to occur it is necessary that angular momentum is transferred from the longitudinal to transverse magnetization components. This dynamical path leads to magnetization switching and subsequent ultrafast precession caused by the inter-sublattice exchange field on the nanoscale.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Thermally induced error: density limit for magnetic data storage

Magnetic data storage is pervasive in the preservation of digital information and the rapid pace of computer development requires ever more capacity. Increasing the storage density for magnetic hard disk drives requires a reduced bit size, previously thought to be limited by the thermal stability of the constituent magnetic grains. The limiting storage density in magnetic recording is investigated treating the writing of bits as a thermodynamic process. A 'thermal writability' factor is introduced and it is shown that storage densities will be limited to 15 to 20 TBit/in^2 unless technology can move beyond the currently available write field magnitudes.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Constrained Monte Carlo Method and Calculation of the Temperature Dependence of Magnetic Anisotropy

We introduce a constrained Monte Carlo method which allows us to traverse the phase space of a classical spin system while fixing the magnetization direction. Subsequently we show the method's capability to model the temperature dependence of magnetic anisotropy, and for bulk uniaxial and cubic anisotropies we recover the low-temperature Callen-Callen power laws in M. We also calculate the temperature scaling of the 2-ion anisotropy in L10 FePt, and recover the experimentally observed M^2.1 scaling. The method is newly applied to evaluate the temperature dependent effective anisotropy in the presence of the N'eel surface anisotropy in thin films with different easy axis configurations. In systems having different surface and bulk easy axes, we show the capability to model the temperature-induced reorientation transition. The intrinsic surface anisotropy is found to follow a linear temperature behavior in a large range of temperatures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗