Vortex-assisted domain wall depinning and propagation in notched nanowires

Abstract

Adiabatic spin transfer torque induced domain wall (DW) depinning from a notch and DW propagation in a nanowire with a series of notches is investigated. Surprisingly, notches help a current to depin a DW and make a DW easier to propagate along a wire. Following fascinating results on DW dynamics are found. 1) The depinning current density of a DW in a notch is substantially lower than the intrinsic threshold value below which a sustainable DW propagation doesn't exist in a homogeneous wire. 2) The DW displacement from a notch is insensitive to notch geometry and current density when it is between the depinning and the intrinsic threshold current density. 3) A current density below the intrinsic threshold value can induce a sustainable DW propagation along notched nanowires. These findings not only reveal interesting and complicated interaction between a current and a DW, but also have profound implications in our current understanding of current-driven DW dynamics as well as in the design of spintronic devices.