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Thomas Schrefl

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas Schrefl.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Prediction of magnetization dynamics in a reduced dimensional feature space setting utilizing a low-rank kernel method

We establish a machine learning model for the prediction of the magnetization dynamics as function of the external field described by the Landau-Lifschitz-Gilbert equation, the partial differential equation of motion in micromagnetism. The model allows for fast and accurate determination of the response to an external field which is illustrated by a thin-film standard problem. The data-driven method internally reduces the dimensionality of the problem by means of nonlinear model reduction for unsupervised learning. This not only makes accurate prediction of the time steps possible, but also decisively reduces complexity in the learning process where magnetization states from simulated micromagnetic dynamics associated with different external fields are used as input data. We use a truncated representation of kernel principal components to describe the states between time predictions. The method is capable of handling large training sample sets owing to a low-rank approximation of the kernel matrix and an associated low-rank extension of kernel principal component analysis and kernel ridge regression. The approach entirely shifts computations into a reduced dimensional setting breaking down the problem dimension from the thousands to the tens.

physics.comp-ph↗

Proposal for a micromagnetic standard problem: domain wall pinning at phase boundaries

We propose a novel micromagnetic standard problem calculating the coercive field for unpinning a domain wall at the interface of a multiphase magnet. This problem is sensitive to discontinuities in material parameters for the exchange interaction, the uniaxial anisotropy, and the spontaneous magnetization. We derive an explicit treatment of jump conditions at material interfaces for the exchange interaction in the finite-difference discretization. The micromagnetic simulation results are compared with analytical solutions and show good agreement. The proposed standard problem is well-suited to test the implementation of both finite-difference and finite-element simulation codes.

physics.comp-ph↗

Machine learning methods for the prediction of micromagnetic magnetization dynamics

Machine learning (ML) entered the field of computational micromagnetics only recently. The main objective of these new approaches is the automatization of solutions of parameter-dependent problems in micromagnetism such as fast response curve estimation modeled by the Landau-Lifschitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation. Data-driven models for the solution of time- and parameter-dependent partial differential equations require high dimensional training data-structures. ML in this case is by no means a straight-forward trivial task, it needs algorithmic and mathematical innovation. Our work introduces theoretical and computational conceptions of certain kernel and neural network based dimensionality reduction approaches for efficient prediction of solutions via the notion of low-dimensional feature space integration. We introduce efficient treatment of kernel ridge regression and kernel principal component analysis via low-rank approximation. A second line follows neural network (NN) autoencoders as nonlinear data-dependent dimensional reduction for the training data with focus on accurate latent space variable description suitable for a feature space integration scheme. We verify and compare numerically by means of a NIST standard problem. The low-rank kernel method approach is fast and surprisingly accurate, while the NN scheme can even exceed this level of accuracy at the expense of significantly higher costs.

physics.comp-ph↗

Magnetostatics and micromagnetics with physics informed neural networks

Partial differential equations and variational problems can be solved with physics informed neural networks (PINNs). The unknown field is approximated with neural networks. Minimizing the residuals of the static Maxwell equation at collocation points or the magnetostatic energy, the weights of the neural network are adjusted so that the neural network solution approximates the magnetic vector potential. This way, the magnetic flux density for a given magnetization distribution can be estimated. With the magnetization as an additional unknown, inverse magnetostatic problems can be solved. Augmenting the magnetostatic energy with additional energy terms, micromagnetic problems can be solved. We demonstrate the use of physics informed neural networks for solving magnetostatic problems, computing the magnetization for inverse problems, and calculating the demagnetization curves for two-dimensional geometries.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Conditional physics informed neural networks

We introduce conditional PINNs (physics informed neural networks) for estimating the solution of classes of eigenvalue problems. The concept of PINNs is expanded to learn not only the solution of one particular differential equation but the solutions to a class of problems. We demonstrate this idea by estimating the coercive field of permanent magnets which depends on the width and strength of local defects. When the neural network incorporates the physics of magnetization reversal, training can be achieved in an unsupervised way. There is no need to generate labeled training data. The presented test cases have been rigorously studied in the past. Thus, a detailed and easy comparison with analytical solutions is made. We show that a single deep neural network can learn the solution of partial differential equations for an entire class of problems.

cs.LG↗

Microstructure Role in Permanent Magnet Eddy Current Losses

The impact of granular microstructure in permanent magnets on eddy current losses are investigated. A numerical homogenization procedure for electrical conductivity is defined. Then, an approximated simple analytical model for the homogenized conductivity able to capture the main features of the geometrical and material dependences is derived. Finally eddy current losses analytical calculations are given, and the two asymptotic expressions for losses in the stationary conduction limit and advanced skin effect limit are derived and discussed.

physics.app-ph↗

Learning time-stepping by nonlinear dimensionality reduction to predict magnetization dynamics

We establish a time-stepping learning algorithm and apply it to predict the solution of the partial differential equation of motion in micromagnetism as a dynamical system depending on the external field as parameter. The data-driven approach is based on nonlinear model order reduction by use of kernel methods for unsupervised learning, yielding a predictor for the magnetization dynamics without any need for field evaluations after a data generation and training phase as precomputation. Magnetization states from simulated micromagnetic dynamics associated with different external fields are used as training data to learn a low-dimensional representation in so-called feature space and a map that predicts the time-evolution in reduced space. Remarkably, only two degrees of freedom in feature space were enough to describe the nonlinear dynamics of a thin-film element. The approach has no restrictions on the spatial discretization and might be useful for fast determination of the response to an external field.

physics.comp-ph↗

Extracting local switching fields in permanent magnets using machine learning

Microstructural features play an important role for the quality of permanent magnets. The coercivity is greatly influenced by crystallographic defects, which is well known for MnAl-C, for example. In this work we show a direct link of microstructural features to the local coercivity of MnAl-C grains by machine learning. A large number of micromagnetic simulations is performed directly from Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) data using an automated meshing, modeling and simulation procedure. Decision trees are trained with the simulation results and predict local switching fields from new microscopic data within seconds.

physics.comp-ph↗

Micromagnetics of rare-earth efficient permanent magnets

The development of permanent magnets containing less or no rare-earth elements is linked to profound knowledge of the coercivity mechanism. Prerequisites for a promising permanent magnet material are a high spontaneous magnetization and a sufficiently high magnetic anisotropy. In addition to the intrinsic magnetic properties the microstructure of the magnet plays a significant role in establishing coercivity. The influence of the microstructure on coercivity, remanence, and energy density product can be understood by {using} micromagnetic simulations. With advances in computer hardware and numerical methods, hysteresis curves of magnets can be computed quickly so that the simulations can readily provide guidance for the development of permanent magnets. The potential of rare-earth reduced and free permanent magnets is investigated using micromagnetic simulations. The results show excellent hard magnetic properties can be achieved in grain boundary engineered NdFeB, rare-earth magnets with a ThMn12 structure, Co-based nano-wires, and L10-FeNi provided that the magnet's microstructure is optimized.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Learning magnetization dynamics

Deep neural networks are used to model the magnetization dynamics in magnetic thin film elements. The magnetic states of a thin film element can be represented in a low dimensional space. With convolutional autoencoders a compression ratio of 1024:1 was achieved. Time integration can be performed in the latent space with a second network which was trained by solutions of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. Thus the magnetic response to an external field can be computed quickly.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Magnetic microstructure machine learning analysis

We use a machine learning approach to identify the importance of microstructure characteristics in causing magnetization reversal in ideally structured large-grained Nd$_2$Fe$_{14}$B permanent magnets. The embedded Stoner-Wohlfarth method is used as a reduced order model for determining local switching field maps which guide the data-driven learning procedure. The predictor model is a random forest classifier which we validate by comparing with full micromagnetic simulations in the case of small granular test structures. In the course of the machine learning microstructure analysis the most important features explaining magnetization reversal were found to be the misorientation and the position of the grain within the magnet. The lowest switching fields occur near the top and bottom edges of the magnet. While the dependence of the local switching field on the grain orientation is known from theory, the influence of the position of the grain on the local coercive field strength is less obvious. As a direct result of our findings of the machine learning analysis we show that edge hardening via Dy-diffusion leads to higher coercive fields.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Probability distribution of substituted Titanium in RT12 (R = Nd, Sm, T = Fe, Co) structures

We investigated the atomic fill site probability distributions across supercell structures of RT12-xTi (R=Nd, Sm, T=Fe, Co). We use a combined molecular dynamics and Boltzmann distribution approach to extrapolate the probability distributions for Ti substitution from lower to higher temperatures with an equilibrium condition to assess how temperature affects the predictability of the structures fill path. It was found that the Nd and Sm based Fe systems have the highest filling probability path at lower temperatures but the cohesive energy change due to Ti substitution in Sm and Nd based crystals indicates that a more stable system could be achieved with a combination Co and Fe in the transition metal site.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Tuning magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Fe$_{3}$Sn by alloying

The electronic structure, magnetic properties and phase formation of hexagonal ferromagnetic Fe$_{3}$Sn-based alloys have been studied from first principles and by experiment. The pristine Fe$_{3}$Sn compound is known to fulfill all the requirements for a good permanent magnet, except for the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MAE). The latter is large, but planar, i.e. the easy magnetization axis is not along the hexagonal c direction, whereas a good permanent magnet requires the MAE to be uniaxial. Here we consider Fe$_{3}$Sn$_{0.75}$M$_{0.25}$, where M= Si, P, Ga, Ge, As, Se, In, Sb, Te and Bi, and show how different dopants on the Sn sublattice affect the MAE and can alter it from planar to uniaxial. The stability of the doped Fe$_{3}$Sn phases is elucidated theoretically via the calculations of their formation enthalpies. A micromagnetic model is developed in order to estimate the energy density product (BH)max and coercive field $μ_{0}$H$_{c}$ of a potential magnet made of Fe$_{3}$Sn$_{0.75}$Sb$_{0.25}$, the most promising candidate from theoretical studies. The phase stability and magnetic properties of the Fe$_{3}$Sn compound doped with Sb and Mn has been checked experimentally on the samples synthesised using the reactive crucible melting technique as well as by solid state reaction. The Fe$_{3}$Sn-Sb compound is found to be stable when alloyed with Mn. It is shown that even small structural changes, such as a change of the c/a ratio or volume, that can be induced by, e.g., alloying with Mn, can influence anisotropy and reverse it from planar to uniaxial and back.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Preconditioned nonlinear conjugate gradient method for micromagnetic energy minimization

Fast computation of demagnetization curves is essential for the computational design of soft magnetic sensors or permanent magnet materials. We show that a sparse preconditioner for a nonlinear conjugate gradient energy minimizer can lead to a speed up by a factor of 3 and 7 for computing hysteresis in soft magnetic and hard magnetic materials, respectively. As a preconditioner an approximation of the Hessian of the Lagrangian is used, which only takes local field terms into account. Preconditioning requires a few additional sparse matrix vector multiplications per iteration of the nonlinear conjugate gradient method, which is used for minimizing the energy for a given external field. The time to solution for computing the demagnetization curve scales almost linearly with problem size.

physics.comp-ph↗

Topologically Protected Vortex Structures to Realize Low-Noise Magnetic Sensors

Micromagnetic sensors play a major role towards the miniaturization in the industrial society. The adoption of new and emerging sensor technologies like anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR), giant magnetoresistance (GMR) and tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors are mainly driven by their integrability and enhanced sensitivity. At the core of such sensors, a microstructured ferromagnetic thin film element transduces the magnetic signal. Such elements usually switch via multi-domain, C- or S-shaped magnetization states and, therefore, often exhibit an open non-linear hysteresis curve. Linearity and hysteretic effects, as well as magnetic noise are key features in the improvement of such sensors. Here, we report on the physical origin of these disturbing factors and the inherent connection of noise and hysteresis. Critical noise sources are identified by means of analytic and micromagnetic models. The dominant noise source is due to irreproducible magnetic switching of the transducer element at external fields close to the Stoner Wohlfarth switching field. Furthermore, a solution is presented to overcome these limiting factors: a disruptive sensor design is proposed and analyzed which realizes a topologically protected magnetic vortex state in the transducer element. Compared to state of the art sensors the proposed sensor layout has negligible hysteresis, a linear regime about an order of magnitude higher and lower magnetic noise making the sensor ideal candidate for applications ranging from automotive industry to biological application.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Transition Jitter in Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording by Micromagnetic Simulation

In this paper we apply an extended Landau-Lifschitz equation, as introduced by Baňas et al. for the simulation of heat-assisted magnetic recording. This equation has similarities with the Landau-Lifshitz-Bloch equation. The Baňas equation is supposed to be used in a continuum setting with sub-grain discretization by the finite-element method. Thus, local geometric features and nonuniform magnetic states during switching are taken into account. We implement the Baňas model and test its capability for predicting the recording performance in a realistic recording scenario. By performing recording simulations on 100 media slabs with randomized granular structure and consecutive read back calculation, the write position shift and transition jitter for bit lengths of 10nm, 12nm, and 20nm are calculated.

physics.comp-ph↗

Micromagnetic Simulations for Coercivity Improvement through Nano-Structuring of Rare-Earth Free L1$_0$-FeNi Magnets

In this work we investigate the potential of tetragonal L1$_0$ ordered FeNi as candidate phase for rare earth free permanent magnets taking into account anisotropy values from recently synthesized, partially ordered FeNi thin films. In particular, we estimate the maximum energy product ($BH$)$_\mathrm{max}$ of L1$_0$-FeNi nanostructures using micromagnetic simulations. The maximum energy product is limited due to the small coercive field of partially ordered L1$_0$-FeNi. Nano-structured magnets consisting of 128 equi-axed, platelet-like and columnar-shaped grains show a theoretical maximum energy product of 228 kJ/m$^3$, 208 kJ/m$^3$, 252 kJ/m$^3$, respectively.

physics.comp-ph↗

Role of twin and anti-phase defects in MnAl permanent magnets

We quantify and explain the effects of both anti-phase boundaries and twin defects in as-transformed $τ$-MnAl by carrying out micromagnetic simulations based closely on the results of microstructural characterization. We demonstrate that magnetic domain walls nucleate readily at anti-phase boundaries and are strongly pinned by them, due to anti-ferromagnetic coupling. Likewise, twin boundaries reduce the external field required to nucleate domain walls and provide strong pinning potentials, with the pinning strength dependent on the twinning angle. The relative strengths of the known twin defect types are quantified based on the anisotropy angles across their boundaries. Samples that have undergone heat treatment are imaged using electron back-scatter diffraction. The precise crystallographic orientation is mapped spatially and converted into a number of realistic finite element models, which are used to compute the effects of large concentrations of twin domains in a realistic morphology. This is shown to have a negative effect on the remanence coercivity and squareness. The maximum energy product $(BH)_{\mathrm{max}}$ is therefore significantly lower than the theoretical limit of the material and much lower than MnAl permanent magnets that have been further processed to remove twin defects. The knowledge gained in this study will allow the optimization of processing routes in order to develop permanent magnets with enhanced magnetic properties.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗