arXiv subjects

Z. Z. Sun

Publications and source records attributed to Z. Z. Sun.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Transformations from stripy states to skyrmion crystals

Stripy states, consisting of a collection of stripy spin textures, are the precursors of skyrmion crystals (SkXs). Common belief is that stripy states and SkXs are topologically unconnected, and transitions between SkXs and stripy states are phase transitions. Here, we show that both stripy states and SkXs are skyrmion condensates and they are topologically equivalent. By gradually tuning the stripe whose width goes from smaller than to larger than skyrmion-skyrmion separation, the structure of a skyrmion condensate transforms smoothly and continuously from various stripy phases, including helical states and mazes, to crystals, showing that stripy states are topologically connected to SkXs.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Cooperative Spin Caloritronic Devices

We report a concept of thermoelectric devices, cooperative spin caloritronics device (CSCD), where cooperation between two or more energy channels such as spin, charge and heat currents can significantly enhance energy efficiency of spin caloritronic devices. We derive the figure of merit and the maximum efficiency due to cooperative effect in analytic forms for a CSCD. Cooperative effects significantly improve the figure of merit and the maximum efficiency in spin caloritronic systems with multiply couplings effects. Several examples of CSCDs, including electrical and thermal current induced DW motion, spin-thermoelectric power generator and spin-thermoelectric cooling/heating, are studied to illustrate the usefulness of the cooperative effect. We compare the efficiency of CSCD with several recently proposed spin caloritronic devices. Our scheme provides a novel route to seek high performance materials and structures for future spin caloritronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Graphene with time-dependent spin-orbit coupling: Truncated Magnus expansion approach

We analyze the role of ac-driven Rashba spin-orbit coupling in monolayer graphene including a spin-dependent mass term. Using the Magnus expansion as a semi-analytical approximation scheme a full account of the quasienergie spectrum of spin states is given. We discuss the subtleties arising in correctly applying the Magnus expansion technique in order to determine the quasienergy spectrum. Comparison to the exact numerical solution gives appropriate boundaries to the validity of the Magnus expansion solution.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

Floquet spin states in graphene under ac driven spin-orbit interaction

We study the role of periodically driven time-dependent Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC) on a monolayer graphene sample. After recasting the originally $4\times 4$ system of dynamical equations as two time-reversal related two-level problems, the quasi-energy spectrum and the related dynamics are investigated via various techniques and approximations. In the static case the system is a gapped at the Dirac point. The rotating wave approximation (RWA) applied to the driven system unphysically preserves this feature, while the Magnus-Floquet approach as well as a numerically exact evaluation of the Floquet equation show that this gap is dynamically closed. In addition, a sizable oscillating pattern of the out-of-plane spin polarization is found in the driven case for states which completely unpolarized in the static limit. Evaluation of the autocorrelation function shows that the original uniform interference pattern corresponding to time-independent RSOC gets distorted. The resulting structure can be qualitatively explained as a consequence of the transitions induced by the ac driving among the static eigenstates, i.e., these transitions modulate the relative phases that add up to give the quantum revivals of the autocorrelation function. Contrary to the static case, in the driven scenario, quantum revivals (suppresions) are correlated to spin up (down) phases.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Current-induced synchronized magnetization reversal of two-body Stoner particles with dipolar interaction

We investigate magnetization reversal of two-body uniaxial Stoner particles, by injecting spin-polarized current through a spin-valve structure. The two-body Stoner particles perform synchronized dynamics and can act as an information bit in computer technology. In the presence of magnetic dipole-dipole interaction (DDI) between the two particles, the critical switching current $I_c$ for reversing the two dipoles is analytically obtained and numerically verified in two typical geometric configurations. $I_c$ bifurcates at a critical DDI strength, where $I_c$ can be decreased to about 70% of the usual value without DDI. Moreover, we also numerically investigate the magnetic hysteresis loop, magnetization self-precession, reversal time and the synchronization stability phase diagram for the two-body system in the synchronized dynamics regime.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Spin transfer torque enhancement in dual spin valve in the ballistic regime

The spin transfer torque in all-metal dual spin valve, in which two antiparallelly aligned pinned ferromagnetic layers are on the two sides of a free ferromagnetic layer with two thin nonmagnetic spacers in between, is studied in the ballistic regime. It is argued that, similar to the results in the diffusion regime, the spin transfer torque is dramatically enhanced in comparison to that in a conventional spin valve although no spin accumulation exists at the magnetic-nonmagnetic interfaces. Within the Slonczewski's approach, an analytical expression of the torque on the free magnetic layer is obtained, which may serve as a theoretical model for the micromagnetic simulation of the spin dynamics in dual spin valve. Depending on the orientation of free layer and the degree of electron polarization, the spin transfer torque enhancement could be tens times. The general cases when transmission and reflection probabilities of free layer are different from zero or one are also numerically calculated.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Zero-field magnetization reversal of two-body Stoner particles with dipolar interaction

Nanomagnetism has recently attracted explosive attention, in particular, because of the enormous potential applications in information industry, e.g. new harddisk technology, race-track memory[1], and logic devices[2]. Recent technological advances[3] allow for the fabrication of single-domain magnetic nanoparticles (Stoner particles), whose magnetization dynamics have been extensively studied, both experimentally and theoretically, involving magnetic fields[4-9] and/or by spin-polarized currents[10-20]. From an industrial point of view, important issues include lowering the critical switching field $H_c$, and achieving short reversal times. Here we predict a new technological perspective: $H_c$ can be dramatically lowered (including $H_c=0$) by appropriately engineering the dipole-dipole interaction (DDI) in a system of two synchronized Stoner particles. Here, in a modified Stoner-Wohlfarth (SW) limit, both of the above goals can be achieved. The experimental feasibility of realizing our proposal is illustrated on the example of cobalt nanoparticles.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Optimal time-dependent polarized current pattern for fast domain wall propagation in nanowires: Exact solutions for biaxial and uniaxial anisotropies

One of the important issues in nanomagnetism is to lower the current needed for a technologically useful domain wall (DW) propagation speed. Based on the modified Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation with both Slonczewski spin-transfer torque and the field-like torque, we derive the optimal spin current pattern for fast DW propagation along nanowires. Under such conditions, the DW velocity in biaxial wires can be enhanced as much as ten times compared to the velocities achieved in experiments so far. Moreover, the fast variation of spin polarization can help DW depinning. Possible experimental realizations are discussed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Current-induced domain wall motion with adiabatic spin torque only in cylindrical nanowires

We investigate current-driven domain wall (DW) propagation in magnetic nanowires in the framework of the modified Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation with both adiabatic and nonadiabatic spin torque (NAST) terms. Contrary to the common opinion that NAST is indispensable for DW motion[1,2], we point out that adiabatic spin torque (AST) only is enough for current-driven DW motion in a cylindrical (uniaxial) nanowire. Apart from a discussion of the rigid DW motion from the energy and angular momentum viewpoint, we also propose an experimental scheme to measure the spin current polarization by combining both field and current driven DW motion in a flat (biaxial) wire.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2010

Fast domain wall propagation under an optimal field pulse in magnetic nanowires

We investigate field-driven domain wall (DW) propagation in magnetic nanowires in the framework of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. We propose a new strategy to speed up the DW motion in a uniaxial magnetic nanowire by using an optimal space-dependent field pulse synchronized with the DW propagation. Depending on the damping parameter, the DW velocity can be increased by about two orders of magnitude compared the standard case of a static uniform field. Moreover, under the optimal field pulse, the change in total magnetic energy in the nanowire is proportional to the DW velocity, implying that rapid energy release is essential for fast DW propagation.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Critical current under an optimal time-dependent polarization direction for Stoner particles in spin-transfer torque induced fast magnetization reversal

Fast magnetization reversal of uniaxial Stoner particles by spin-transfer torque due to the spin-polarized electric current is investigated. It is found that a current with a properly designed time-dependent polarization direction can dramatically reduce the critical current density required to reverse a magnetization. Under the condition that the magnitude and the polarization degree of the current do not vary with time, the shape of the optimal time-dependent polarization direction is obtained such that the magnetization reversal is the fastest.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Theoretical limit of the minimal magnetization switching field and the optimal field pulse for Stoner particles

The theoretical limit of the minimal magnetization switching field and the optimal field pulse design for uniaxial Stoner particles are investigated. Two results are obtained. One is the existence of a theoretical limit of the smallest magnetic field out of all possible designs. It is shown that the limit is proportional to the damping constant in the weak damping regime and approaches the Stoner-Wohlfarth (SW) limit at large damping. For a realistic damping constant, this limit is more than ten times smaller than that of so-called precessional magnetization reversal under a non-collinear static field. The other is on the optimal field pulse design: If the magnitude of a magnetic field does not change, but its direction can vary during a reversal process, there is an optimal design that gives the shortest switching time. The switching time depends on the field magnitude, damping constant, and magnetic anisotropy. However, the optimal pulse shape depends only on the damping constant.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Magnetization reversal through synchronization with a microwave

Based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation, it can be shown that a circularly-polarized microwave can reverse the magnetization of a Stoner particle through synchronization. In comparison with magnetization reversal induced by a static magnetic field, it can be shown that when a proper microwave frequency is used the minimal switching field is much smaller than that of precessional magnetization reversal. A microwave needs only to overcome the energy dissipation of a Stoner particle in order to reverse magnetization unlike the conventional method with a static magnetic field where the switching field must be of the order of magnetic anisotropy.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Proximity and anomalous field-effect characteristics in double-wall carbon nanotubes

Proximity effect on field-effect characteristic (FEC) in double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) is investigated. In a semiconductor-metal (S-M) DWCNT, the penetration of electron wavefunctions in the metallic shell to the semiconducting shell turns the original semiconducting tube into a metal with a non-zero local density of states at the Fermi level. By using a two-band tight-binding model on a ladder of two legs, it is demonstrated that anomalous FEC observed in so-called S-M type DWCNTs can be fully understood by the proximity effect of metallic phases.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

A possible minimum toy model with negative differential capacitance for self-sustained current oscillation

We generalize a simple model for superlattices to include the effect of differential capacitance. It is shown that the model always has a stable steady-state solution (SSS) if all differential capacitances are positive. On the other hand, when negative differential capacitance is included, the model can have no stable SSS and be in a self-sustained current oscillation behavior. Therefore, we find a possible minimum toy model with both negative differential resistance and negative differential capacitance which can include the phenomena of both self-sustained current oscillation and $I-V$ oscillation of stable SSSs.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Ratchet Effect in Magnetization Reversal of Stoner Particles

A new strategy is proposed aimed at substantially reducing the minimal magnetization switching field for a Stoner particle. Unlike the normal method of applying a static magnetic field which must be larger than the magnetic anisotropy, a much weaker field, proportional to the damping constant in the weak damping regime, can be used to switch the magnetization from one state to another if the field is along the motion of the magnetization. The concept is to constantly supply energy to the particle from the time-dependent magnetic field to allow the particle to climb over the potential barrier between the initial and the target states.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Fast magnetization switching of Stoner particles: A nonlinear dynamics picture

The magnetization reversal of Stoner particles is investigated from the point of view of nonlinear dynamics within the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert formulation. The following results are obtained. 1) We clarify that the so-called Stoner-Wohlfarth (SW) limit becomes exact when damping constant is infinitely large. Under the limit, the magnetization moves along the steepest energy descent path. The minimal switching field is the one at which there is only one stable fixed point in the system. 2) For a given magnetic anisotropy, there is a critical value for the damping constant, above which the minimal switching field is the same as that of the SW-limit. 3) We illustrate how fixed points and their basins change under a field along different directions. This change explains well why a non-parallel field gives a smaller minimal switching field and a short switching time. 4) The field of a ballistic magnetization reversal should be along certain direction window in the presence of energy dissipation. The width of the window depends on both of the damping constant and the magnetic anisotropy. The upper and lower bounds of the direction window increase with the damping constant. The window width oscillates with the damping constant for a given magnetic anisotropy. It is zero for both zero and infinite damping. Thus, the perpendicular field configuration widely employed in the current experiments is not the best one since the damping constant in a real system is far from zero.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2003

Negative differential resistance due to the resonance coupling of a quantum-dot dimer

Electron tunneling through a coupled quantum-dot dimer under a dc-bias is investigated. We find that a peak in the $I$-$V$ curve appears at low temperature when two discrete electronic states in the two quantum dots are aligned with each other -- resonance coupling. This leads to a negative differential resistance. The peak height and width depend on the dot-dot coupling. At high temperature, the peak disappears due to thermal smearing effects.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗