Antiferromagnetic Domain Walls Research Articles

Multilayer Metamaterials with Ferromagnetic Domains Separated by Antiferromagnetic Domain Walls

AbstractMagnetic nano‐objects possess great potential for more efficient data processing, storage, and neuromorphic‐type applications. Using high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy synthetic antiferromagnets in the form of multilayer‐based metamaterials, the antiferromagnetic interlayer exchange energy is purposefully reduced below the out‐of‐plane demagnetization energy, which controls magnetic domain formation. In this unusual magnetic energy regime, as demonstrated via macroscopic magnetometry and microscopic Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, it becomes possible to stabilize nanometer‐scale stripe and bubble textures consisting of ferromagnetic out‐of‐plane domain cores separated by antiferromagnetic in‐plane Bloch‐type domain walls. This unique coexistence of mixed ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic order on the nanometer scale opens so far unexplored perspectives in the architecture of magnetic domain landscapes as well as the design and functionality of individual magnetic textures, such as bubble domains with depth‐wise alternating chirality.

Emission of fast-propagating spin waves by an antiferromagnetic domain wall driven by spin current

Emission of fast-propagating spin waves by an antiferromagnetic domain wall driven by spin current

Terahertz magnon excitation in antiferromagnetic domain walls based on mass-energy equivalence

Terahertz magnon excitation in antiferromagnetic domain walls based on mass-energy equivalence

Realizing polarization-dependent unidirectional magnon channel in antiferromagnetic domain wall

Achieving unidirectional spin wave (or magnon) transport in domain wall (DW) represents the key step for designing functional magnonic devices. Here, we theoretically investigate the propagation behavior of spin waves (SWs) in antiferromagnetic DW when the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) and/or spin transfer torque (STT) are considered. On the one hand, we find that the DMI lifts the degeneracy of magnon bands, from which one can obtain pure right- or left-handed polarized SWs. On the other hand, the nonreciprocal attenuation of magnons induced by STT is identified. Interestingly, we realize the polarization-dependent unidirectional propagation of SWs when the nonadiabatic coefficient β exceeds a critical value. Moreover, the micromagnetic simulations verify the theoretical predictions with good agreement. Our work provides a simple method for achieving unidirectional magnons with desired polarity in antiferromagnetic DW, which is indispensable for future magnonic computing and communication.

Microwave Field-Induced Changes in Raman Modes and Magnetic Force Images of Antiferromagnetic NiO Films

Effective control of domain walls or magnetic textures in antiferromagnets promises to enable robust, fast, and nonvolatile memories. The lack of net magnetic moment in antiferromagnets implies the need for creative ways to achieve such a manipulation. We conducted a study to investigate changes in magnetic force microscopy (MFM) imaging and in the magnon-related mode in Raman spectroscopy of virgin NiO films under a microwave pump. After MFM and Raman studies were conducted, a combined action of broadband microwave (0.01–20 GHz, power scanned from −20 to 5 dBm) and magnetic field (up to 3 kOe) were applied to virgin epitaxial (111) NiO and (100) NiO films grown on (0001) Al2O3 and (100) MgO substrates, following which the MFM and Raman studies were repeated. We observed a suppression of the magnon-related Raman mode subsequent to the microwave exposure. Based on MFM imaging, this effect appeared to be caused by the suppression of large antiferromagnetic domain walls due to the possible excitation of antiferromagnetic spin oscillations localized within the antiferromagnetic domain walls.

Tailoring elastic and inelastic collisions of relativistic antiferromagnetic domain walls

Soliton-based computing relies on their unique properties for transporting energy and emerging intact from head-on collisions. Magnetic domain walls are often referred to as solitons disregarding the strict mathematical definition requiring the above scattering property. Here we demonstrate the conditions of elastic and inelastic scattering for spin–orbit torque-induced dynamics of relativistic domain walls on the technologically relevant Mn2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$_2$$\\end{document}Au antiferromagnetic material. We show that even domain walls with opposite winding numbers can experience elastic scattering and we present the corresponding phase diagram as a function of the spin–orbit field strength and duration. The elastic collision requires minimum domain walls speed, which we explain assuming an attractive potential created by domain wall pair. On the contrary, when the domain walls move at lower speeds, their collision is inelastic and results in a dispersing breather. Our findings will be important for the development of soliton-based computing using antiferromagnetic spintronics and we discuss their prospects for building NOT and XOR gates.

Generation of electric current and electromotive force by an antiferromagnetic domain wall

Generation of electric current and electromotive force by an antiferromagnetic domain wall

Electrical control of 180° domain walls in an antiferromagnet

We demonstrate the reversible current-induced motion of 180° antiferromagnetic domain walls in a CuMnAs device. By controlling the magnitude and direction of the current pulse, the position of a domain wall can be switched between three distinct pinning sites. The domain wall motion is attributed to a field-like spin–orbit torque that induces the same sense of rotation on each magnetic sublattice, owing to the crystal symmetry of CuMnAs. Domain wall motion is observed for current densities down to ≈2.5×1010 A/m2 at room temperature.

A proposal for leaky integrate-and-fire neurons by domain walls in antiferromagnetic insulators

Brain-inspired neuromorphic computing is a promising path towards next generation analogue computers that are fundamentally different compared to the conventional von Neumann architecture. One model for neuromorphic computing that can mimic the human brain behavior are spiking neural networks (SNNs), of which one of the most successful is the leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) model. Since conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices are not meant for modelling neural networks and are energy inefficient in network applications, recently the focus shifted towards spintronic-based neural networks. In this work, using the advantage of antiferromagnetic insulators, we propose a non-volatile magnonic neuron that could be the building block of a LIF spiking neuronal network. In our proposal, an antiferromagnetic domain wall in the presence of a magnetic anisotropy gradient mimics a biological neuron with leaky, integrating, and firing properties. This single neuron is controlled by polarized antiferromagnetic magnons, activated by either a magnetic field pulse or a spin transfer torque mechanism, and has properties similar to biological neurons, namely latency, refraction, bursting and inhibition. We argue that this proposed single neuron, based on antiferromagnetic domain walls, is faster and has more functionalities compared to previously proposed neurons based on ferromagnetic systems.

Long range motion of domain wall in antiferromagnetic [formula omitted] curved nanowire

The theoretical study of domain wall dynamics in a 3D curved nanowire with torsion in an antiferromagnetic environment is presented. The equations of motion for the antiferromagnetic domain wall are derived using the collective variable approach. The curvature induces the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, while the torsion induces an anisotropy term. The forces resulting from their gradients drive the domain wall in opposite directions in a stable state. A curve has been designed to allow the domain wall to move spontaneously over long distances. All analytical predictions are confirmed through numerical simulations.

Magnon dynamics in a skyrmion-textured domain wall of antiferromagnets

We theoretically investigate the interaction between magnons and a Skyrmion-textured domain wall in a two-dimensional antiferromagnet and elucidate the resultant properties of magnon transport. Using supersymmetric quantum mechanics, we solve the scattering problem of magnons on top of the domain wall and obtain the exact solutions of propagating and bound magnon modes. Then, we find their properties of reflection and refraction in the Skyrmion-textured domain wall, where magnons experience an emergent magnetic field due to its non-trivial spin texture-induced effective gauge field. Based on the obtained scattering properties of magnons and the domain wall, we show that the thermal transport decreases as the domain wall's chirality increases. Our results suggest that the thermal transport of an antiferromagnet is tunable by modulating the Skyrmion charge density of the domain wall, which might be useful for realizing electrically tunable spin caloritronic devices.

Identifying the domain-wall spin structure in antiferromagnetic NiO/Pt

The understanding of antiferromagnetic domain walls, which are the interface between domains with different N\'eel order orientations, is a crucial aspect to enable the use of antiferromagnetic materials as active elements in future spintronic devices. In this work, we demonstrate that in antiferromagnetic NiO/Pt bilayers circular domain structures can be generated by switching driven by electrical current pulses. The generated domains are T-domains, separated from each other by a domain wall whose spins are pointing toward the average direction of the two T-domains rather than the common axis of the two planes. Interestingly, this direction is the same for the whole circular domain indicating the absence of strong Lifshitz invariants. The domain wall can be micromagnetically modeled by strain distributions in the NiO thin film induced by the MgO substrate, deviating from the bulk anisotropy. From our measurements we determine the domain wall width to have a full width at half maximum of $\Delta = 98 \pm 10$ nm, demonstrating strong confinement.

Ab initio statistical mechanics of the Néel transition in hexagonal YMnO3 : Antiferromagnetic domain walls, vortices, and local magnetoelectric coupling

Hexagonal manganites with coexisting antiferromagnetism and ferroelectricity have driven numerous research activities uncovering their potential in novel electronic devices. An antiferromagnetic order lowers the translational symmetry of the lattice; the structure of domain walls spatially separating distinctly ordered antiferromagnetic and structural states is quite rich and needs to be understood fundamentally. Here, we construct a model Hamiltonian to capture the low energy physics of coupled spins and phonons in hexagonal multiferroic ${\mathrm{YMnO}}_{3}$ derived from first-principles density functional theory and determine its temperature dependent behavior using Monte Carlo simulations. We demonstrate a weakly first order or close to being second order N\'eel transition accompanied by a $giant$ magnetoelastic effect observed experimentally in ${\mathrm{YMnO}}_{3}$ and show how it originates from the coupling between the in-plane ordering of spins with symmetry of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{3}$ irreducible representation and collective atomic displacements with symmetry of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{1}$ irreducible representation. We reveal the intriguing magnetic structure with the symmetry of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{1}$ irreducible representation at the ${180}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ antiferromagnetic domain wall and predict a linear magnetoelectric coupling which can be confirmed using the piezoresponse force microscopy. Finally, we show that a stable magnetic vortex forms along a line of intersection of six ${60}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ antiferromagnetic domain walls, with energy comparable to that of dislocations in metals.

Domain-wall magnetoelectric coupling in multiferroic hexagonal YbFeO3 films

Electrical modulation of magnetic states in single-phase multiferroic materials, using domain-wall magnetoelectric (ME) coupling, can be enhanced substantially by controlling the population density of the ferroelectric (FE) domain walls during polarization switching. In this work, we investigate the domain-wall ME coupling in multiferroic h-YbFeO3 thin films, in which the FE domain walls induce clamped antiferromagnetic (AFM) domain walls with reduced magnetization magnitude. Simulation according to the phenomenological theory indicates that the domain-wall ME effect is dramatically enhanced when the separation between the FE domain walls shrinks below the characteristic width of the clamped AFM domain walls during the ferroelectric switching. Experimentally, we show that while the magnetization magnitude remains same for both the positive and the negative saturation polarization states, there is evidence of magnetization reduction at the coercive voltages. These results suggest that the domain-wall ME effect is viable for electrical control of magnetization.

Direct visualization and control of antiferromagnetic domains and spin reorientation in a parent cuprate

We report magnetic optical second-harmonic generation (SHG) polarimetry and imaging on Sr$_2$Cu$_3$O$_4$Cl$_2$, which allows direct visualization of the mesoscopic antiferromagnetic (AFM) structure of a parent cuprate. Temperature- and magnetic-field-dependent SHG reveals large domains with 90$^{\circ}$ relative orientations that are stabilized by a combination of uniaxial magnetic anisotropy and the Earth's magnetic field. Below a temperature $T_R$ $\sim$ 97 K, we observe an unusual 90$^{\circ}$ spin reorientation transition, possibly driven by competing magnetic anisotropies of the two copper sublattices, which swaps the AFM domain states while preserving the domain structure. This allows deterministic switching of the AFM states by thermal or laser heating. Near $T_R$, the domain walls become exceptionally responsive to an applied magnetic field, with the Earth's field sufficient to completely expel them from the crystal. Our findings unlock opportunities to study the mesoscopic AFM behavior of parent cuprates and explore their potential for AFM technologies.

Atomic-scale spin-wave polarizer based on a sharp antiferromagnetic domain wall

We theoretically study the scattering of spin waves from a sharp domain wall in an antiferromagnetic spin chain. While the continuum model for an antiferromagnetic material yields the well-known result that spin waves can pass through a wide domain wall with no reflection, here we show that, based on the discrete spin Hamiltonian, spin waves are generally reflected by a domain wall with a reflection coefficient that increases as the domain-wall width decreases. Remarkably, we find that, in the interesting case of an atomically sharp domain wall, the reflection of spin waves exhibits strong dependence on the state of circular polarization of the spin waves, leading to mainly reflection for one polarization while permitting partial transmission for the other, thus realizing an atomic-scale spin-wave polarizer. The polarization of the transmitted spin wave depends on the orientation of the spin in the sharp domain wall, which can be controlled by an external field or spin torque. Our utilization of a sharp antiferromagnetic domain wall as an atomic-scale spin-wave polarizer leads us to envision that ultra-small magnetic solitons such as domain walls and skyrmions may enable realizations of atomic-scale spin-wave scatterers with useful functionalities.

Voltage-induced terahertz magnon excitation associated with antiferromagnetic domain wall precession

Exploring a low-power method for exciting terahertz (THz) signals is of great interest in developing devices with ultrafast signal processing. We numerically investigated the THz magnon excitation from a moving antiferromagnetic (AFM) domain wall (DW) driven by a voltage-induced magnetic anisotropy energy gradient (dEa/dx). This magnon excitation originates from the DW precession induced by dEa/dx. Unlike the AFM DW precession triggered by DW acceleration as predicted in previous investigation, the dEa/dx-induced DW precession is possible when the DW acceleration is negligible. When the frequency of DW precession is greater than the frequency gap of spin-wave propagation in the AFM medium, THz magnons are resonantly excited. Because dEa/dx can be generated under a moderate DC voltage, our work provides a potential approach for developing THz spintronic devices with a low power and dissipation.

Ferromagnetic diagonal stripe states in the two-dimensional Hubbard model with U≲∞

We have performed a variational Monte Carlo simulation to study the ground state of a two-dimensional Hubbard model on a square lattice in the strong coupling region. The energy gain of possible inhomogeneous electron states are computed as a function of U when the hole density ϵ=1/8 and next nearest-neighbor hopping t′/t=−0.30. The bond-centered ferromagnetic diagonal stripe state is stabilized in the strong coupling region (U/t≥16), which is due to the gain of both kinetic energy and on-site Coulomb interaction energy due to the holon moving over the ferromagnetic domain and the gain of kinetic-exchange-interaction energy at the antiferromagnetic domain wall.

Nanoscale Antiferromagnetic Domain Imaging using Full-Field Resonant X-ray Magnetic Diffraction Microscopy.

The physical properties of magnetic materials frequently depend not only on the microscopic spin and electronic structures, but also on the structures of mesoscopic length scales that emerge, for instance, from domain formations, or chemical and/or electronic phase separations. However, experimental access to such mesoscopic structures is currently limited, especially for antiferromagnets with net zero magnetization. Here, full-field microscopy and resonant magnetic X-ray diffraction are combined to visualize antiferromagnetic (AF) domains of the spin-orbit Mott insulator Sr2 IrO4 with area over ≈0.1 mm2 and with spatial resolution as high as ≈150nm. With the unprecedented wide field of views and high spatial resolution, an intertwining of two AF domains on a length comparable to the measured average AF domain wall width of 545nm is revealed. This mesoscopic structure comprises a substantial portion of the sample surface, and thus can result in a macroscopic response unexpected from its microscopic magnetic structure. In particular, the symmetry analysis presented in this work shows that the inversion symmetry, which is preserved by the microscopic AF order, becomes ill-defined at the mesoscopic length scale. This result underscores the importance of this novel technique for a thorough understanding of the physical properties of antiferromagnets.

Terahertz bremsstrahlung and frequency comb induced by variable motion of an antiferromagnetic domain wall

We numerically investigate the emission of spin wave (SW) packets from an antiferromagnetic (AFM) domain wall (DW) moving at a varying velocity. This SW is analogous to the bremsstrahlung of a charge with variable motion. The SW packets are emitted towards both sides of DW in the DW acceleration/deceleration process. The frequency of this bremsstrahlung-type SW is at sub-terahertz (THz), which is one magnitude lower than that of SW emitted by the Lorentz contraction of DW. Based on the bremsstrahlung-type SW, we proposed a frequency comb with a sub-THz central frequency and a GHz frequency interval by exploiting the back-and-forth DW variable motion. Our work paves a way for developing a spin–orbit-torque -based AFM THz device with a tunable frequency band.