arXiv subjects

W. A. Moura-Melo

Publications and source records attributed to W. A. Moura-Melo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Channeling Skyrmions: suppressing the skyrmion Hall effect in ferrimagnetic nanostripes

The Skyrmion Hall Effect (SkHE) observed in ferromagnetic (FM) and ferrimagnetic (FI) skyrmions traveling due to a spin-polarized current can be a problematic issue when it comes to technological applications. By investigating the properties of FI skyrmions in racetracks through computational simulations, we have described the nature of their movement based on the relative values of the exchange, Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya, and anisotropy coupling constants. Beyond that, using a design strategy, a magnetic channel-like nano-device is proposed in which a spin-polarized current protocol is created to successfully control the channel on which the skyrmion will travel without the adverse SkHE. Additionally, a simple adjustment in the current strength can modify the skyrmion position sideways between different parallel channels in the nanostripe.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Quantifying ground state degeneracy in planar artificial spin ices: the magnetic structure factor approach

Magnetic structure factor (MSF) is employed to investigate the ground state degeneracy in rectangular-like artificial spin ices. Our analysis considers the importance of nanoislands size via dumbbell model approximation. Pinch points in MSF and residual entropy are found for rectangular lattices with disconnected nanoislands, signalizing an emergent gauge field, through which magnetic monopoles interact effectively. Dipole-dipole interaction is also used and its predictions are compared with those obtained by dumbbell model.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Direct observation of magnetic monopole freedom in two-dimensional artificial spin ice

Magnetic monopole unpairing as a function of external magnetic fields is presented as a fingerprint of this emergent quasiparticles freedom in a two-dimensional artificial spin ice system. Such freedom, required for example for further application in magnetricity, is only possible due to ground-state degeneracy, which causes a decreasing of the string energy in rectangular geometries, designed to allow highest equidistance among nanomagnets. We show by simulations that spin correlation in different rectangular artificial spin ices evolves from antiferromagnetic ordered magnetic structure to a ferromagnetic one, passing through an ice regime were pinch points related to Coulomb phase are observed. By measurements of magnetic force microscopy, we observe magnetic monopole creation, transport and annihilation in such systems with free monopoles created and transported throughout the sample without strings attached, as is commonly observed in conventional artificial spin ice systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Skyrmion bound state and dynamics in an antiferromagnetic bilayer racetrack

We investigate the dynamics of two skyrmions lying in distinct layers of an antiferromagnetic bilayer system, consisting of nanostripes with the shape of racetracks. The top and bottom nanostripes are separated by a height offset and they are coupled through a ferromagnetic exchange, allowing the interaction between the skyrmions from both layers. Depending on the distance between the skyrmions they attract each other sufficiently to achieve a bound state. We also analyze their dynamics when an electric current is applied in a unique layer and we determine how the bound-state nucleation depends on the current density and vertical distance between the skyrmions. Finally, we analyzed the robustness of the bound states by considering two situations: 1) a system constituted by clean or homogeneous antiferromagnetic racetracks; 2) a system in which randomly distributed magnetic impurities in both layers are included in the system.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Robust dynamics of antiferromagnetic skyrmion driven by spin-polarized current in small thin disks

We investigate skyrmion configuration and dynamics in antiferromagnetic thin disks. It is shown that the skyrmion acquires oscillatory dynamics with well-defined amplitude and frequency which may be controlled on demand by the spin-polarized current. Such dynamics are robust in the sense that an interface between two half-disks cannot change the dynamics appreciably. Indeed, the skyrmion keeps its oscillatory despite crossing this interface. The way skyrmion found to do that is by modifying its core region shape so that its total energy is unaltered for several cycles.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Naked-eye visualization of geometric frustration effects in macroscopic spin ices

We study planar rectangular-like arrays composed by macroscopic dipoles (magnetic bars with size around a few centimeters) separated by lattice spacing a and b along each direction. Physical behavior of such macroscopic artificial spin ice (MASI) systems are shown to agree much better with theoretical prediction than their micro- or nano-scaled counterparts, making MASI "almost ideal prototypes" for readily naked-eye visualization of geometrical frustration effects.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Germanium microparticles as optically induced oscillators in optical tweezers

Oscillatory dynamics is a key tool in optical tweezers applications. It is usually implemented by mechanical interventions that cannot be optically controlled. In this work we show that Germanium semiconductor beads behave as optically induced oscillators when subjected to a highly focused laser beam. Such unusual motion is due to the competition between the usual optical forces [1-3] and the radiometric force related to thermal effects, which pushes the beads from the focal region [4]. We characterize the behavior of the Germanium beads in detail and propose a model accounting for the related forces, in good agreement with the experimental data. The well defined direction of oscillations can be manipulated by the polarization of the light beam. Such kind of system can potentially revolutionize the field of optical manipulation, contributing to the design of single molecule machines and the application of oscillatory forces in macromolecules and other soft matter systems.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Predicted antiferromagnetic-vortex dynamics driven by spin polarized current in thin discs

We investigate vortex configuration in antiferromagnetic thin discs. It is shown that the vortex acquires oscillatory dynamics with well-defined amplitude and frequency which may be controlled on demand by an alternating spin polarized current. These findings may be useful for the emerging field of antiferromagnetic topological spintronics, once vortex dynamics may be controlled by purely electric means.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

How light absorption modifies the radiative force on a microparticle in optical tweezers

Reflection and refraction of light can be used to trap small dielectric particles in the geometrical optics regime. Absorption of light is usually neglected in theoretical calculations, but it is known that it occurs in the optical trapping of metallic particles. Also, recent experiments with semi-transparent microparticles have shown that absorption of light is important to explain their optically induced oscillations. Here, we propose a generalization of Ashkin's model for the radiative force exerted on a spherical bead, including the contribution due to attenuation/absorption of light in the bulk of the particle. We discuss in detail the balance between refraction, reflection and absorption for different optical parameters and particle sizes. A detailed example is provided in order to clarify how the model can be applied, and it is obtained that the radiative force can either increase or decrease with absorption, depending on the particle size. Our findings contribute to the understanding of optical trapping of light-absorbing particles, and may be used to predict whenever absorption is important in real experiments.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Topological insulator particles as optically induced oscillators: towards dynamical force measurements and optical rheology

We report the first experimental study upon the optical trapping and manipulation of topological insulator (TI) particles. By virtue of the unique TI properties, which have a conducting surface and an insulating bulk, the particles present a peculiar behaviour in the presence of a single laser beam optical tweezers: they oscillate in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the laser propagation, as a result of the competition between radiation pressure and gradient forces. In other words, TI particles behave as optically induced oscillators, allowing dynamical measurements with unprecedented simplicity and purely optical control. Actually, optical rheology of soft matter interfaces and biological membranes, as well as dynamical force measurements in macromolecules and biopolymers, may be quoted as feasible possibilities for the near future.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Realization of Rectangular Artificial Spin Ice and Direct Observation of High Energy Topology

In this letter, we have constructed and experimentally investigated frustrated arrays of dipoles forming two-dimensional artificial spin ices with different lattice parameters (rectangular arrays with horizontal and vertical lattice spacings denoted by $a$ and $b$ respectively). Arrays with three different ratios $γ=a/b = \sqrt{2}$, $\sqrt{3}$ and $\sqrt{4}$ are studied. Theoretical calculations of low-energy demagnetized configurations for these same parameters are also presented. Experimental data for demagnetized samples confirm most of the theoretical results. However, the highest energy topology (doubly-charged monopoles) does not emerge in our theoretical model, while they are seen in experiments for large enough $γ$. Our results also insinuate that magnetic monopoles may be almost free in rectangular lattices with a critical ratio $γ= γ_{c} = \sqrt{3}$, supporting previous theoretical predictions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Creation,transport and detection of imprinted magnetic solitons stabilized by spin-polarized current

With the recent proposition of skyrmion utilization in racetrack memories at room temperature, skyrmionics has become a very attractive field. However, for the stability of skyrmions, it is essential to incorporate the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) and the out-of-plane magnetic field into the system. In this work, we explore a system without these interactions. First, we propose a controlled way for the creation of magnetic skyrmions and skyrmioniums imprinted on a ferromagnetic nanotrack via a nanopatterned nanodisk with the magnetic vortex state. Then we investigate the detachment of the imprinted spin textures from the underneath of the nanodisk, as well as its transport by the spin-transfer torque imposed by spin-polarized current pulses applied in the nanotrack. A prominent feature of the moving imprinted spin texture is that its topological number Q is oscillating around the averaged value of Q=0 as if it is a resonant state between the skyrmions with Q= +/- 1 and the bubble with Q=0. We may call it a resonant magnetic soliton (RMS). A RMS moves along a straight line since it is free from the skyrmion Hall effect. In our studied device, the same electrodes are employed to realize the imprinted spin texture detachment and its transport. In addition, we have investigated the interaction between the RMS and a magnetic tunnel junction sensor, where the passing of the RMS in the nanotrack can be well detected. Our results would be useful for the development of novel spintronic devices based on moveable spin textures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Berry phases and zero-modes in toroidal topological insulator

An effective Hamiltonian describing the surface states of a toroidal topological insulator is obtained, and it is shown to support both bound-states and charged zero-modes. Actually, the spin connection induced by the toroidal curvature can be viewed as an position-dependent effective vector potential, which ultimately yields the zero-modes whose wave-functions harmonically oscillate around the toroidal surface. In addition, two distinct Berry phases are predicted to take place by the virtue of the toroidal topology.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Ferromagnetic resonance and magnetoresistive measurements evidencing magnetic vortex crystal in nickel thin film with patterned antidot array

Ferromagnetic vortices deliver robust out-of-plane magnetization at extremely small scales. Their handling and creation therefore has high potential to become a necessary ingredient for future data storage technologies in order to keep up with the pace of growing information density demands. In this study we show that by using one step nanolithography method, we are able to create ferromagnetic vortex lattices in thin nickel films. The necessary control of the magnetic stray field at the domain edges was achieved by actively modifying the ferromagnetic thin film anisotropic properties at nanometer scale. We present experimental evidence using ferromagnetic resonance and magnetoresistance measurements supporting simulations based on the theoretical prediction of the proclaimed vortex structures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Order and thermalized dynamics in Heisenberg-like square and Kagomé spin ices

Thermodynamic properties of a spin ice model on a Kagomé lattice are obtained from dynamic simulations and compared with properties in square lattice spin ice. The model assumes three-component Heisenberg-like dipoles of an array of planar magnetic islands situated on a Kagomé lattice. Ising variables are avoided. The island dipoles interact via long-range dipolar interactions and are restricted in their motion due to local shape anisotropies. We define various order parameters and obtain them and thermodynamic properties from the dynamics of the system via a Langevin equation, solved by the Heun algorithm. Generally, a slow cooling from high to low temperature does not lead to a particular state of order, even for a set of coupling parameters that gives well thermalized states and dynamics. Some suggestions are proposed for the alleviation of the geometric frustration effects and for the generation of local order in the low temperature regime.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Realization of magnetic monopoles current in an artificial spin ice device: A step towards magnetronics

Magnetricity- the magnetic equivalent of electricity- was recently verified experimentally for the first time. Indeed, just as the stream of electric charges produces electric current, emergent magnetic monopoles have been observed to roam freely (generating magnetic current) in geometrically frustrated magnets known as spin ice. However, this is realized only by considering extreme physical conditions as a single crystal of spin ice has to be cooled to a temperature of $0.36 K$. Candidates to overcome this difficulty are artificial analogues of spin ice crystals, the so-called artificial spin ices. Here we show that, by tuning geometrical frustration down, a peculiar type of these artificial systems is an excellent candidate. We produce this material and experimentally observe the emergent monopoles; then, we calculate the effects of external magnetic fields, illustrating how to generate controlled magnetic currents. This potential nano-device for use in magnetronics can be practical even at room temperature and the relevant parameters (such as magnetic charge strength etc) for developing this technology can be tuned at will.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Vortex-crystal pattern in an anti-artificial spin ice system

We have proposed in this work an original system composed by anti-dots nanopatterned in a ferromagnetic thin film, mimicking negatively the structure of an articial spin ice. In the hysteresis loop we notice the emergency of an anisotropy in the magnetization saturation and in the micromagnetic simulations, in the beginning of the hysteresis loop (relaxation), the formation of a vortex crystal array with vortices in diferent positions possessing random polarization and chirality. The crystal of vortices in this electrically connected sample could be most eficient than those observed in non-connected nanodiscs for current-driven or magnetic vortices switching by electric currents.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Efficient demagnetization protocol for the artificial triangular spin ice

In this work we study demagnetization protocols for an artificial spin ice in a triangular geometry. Our results show that a simple hysteresis-like process is very efficient in driving the system to its ground state, even for a relatively strong disorder in the system, confirming previous expectations. In addition, transitions between the magnetized state and the ground state were observed to be mediated by the creation and propagation of vertices that behave like magnetic monopoles pseudo-particles. This is an important step towards a more detailed experimental study of monopole-like excitations in artificial spin ice systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗