Pure spin current-induced domain wall motion probed by localized spin signal detection

Abstract

We demonstrate the displacement of domain walls via pure diffusive spin currents in a nonlocal spin valve geometry, without any externally applied fields. We implement a localized detection of the domain wall position by simultaneous nonlocal spin signal measurements using contacts on both sides of the spin current conduit, which allows us to determine the domain wall position even underneath the spin current conduit. Using this detection method, we probe the domain wall position as it moves across the spin current conduit when sweeping a field or on current application. Injecting pure spin currents in the nonlocal architecture, we find that in our optimized geometry we can displace a transverse head-to-head or tail-to-tail domain wall without any externally applied fields at effective spin currents $<$${10}^{10}$ A/m${}^{2}$, showing that this method can be a viable avenue to low-power domain wall manipulation.