Possible existence of a Josephson effect in ferromagnets

L. Berger
Phys. Rev. B 33, 1572 – Published 1 February 1986
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

When a current density jx crosses a 180° domain wall in a metallic ferromagnet, the spin s of each conduction electron exerts an s-d exchange torque on the localized wall spins. Hence, the wall moment of a Bloch wall is canted out of the wall plane by an angle ψ, given by jx=(eC/ħ)sin(2ψ), where C is the maximum restoring torque at ψ=45°. This equation is the exact analog of the dc Josephson effect, and 2ψ is the analog of the superconducting phase difference φ across a junction. For ‖jx‖>eC/ħ≃106 A/cm2, the s-d exchange torque overcomes the restoring torque, and the wall moment precesses with a frequency ω=d(2ψ)/dt. A dc voltage δV is expected to appear across the wall, satisfying the famous ac Josephson relation 2eδV=-ħω. This wall precession can be described as a translation of Bloch lines, and the Bloch lines are the exact analog of superconducting vortices. The electric current exerts a transverse force on Bloch lines.

  • Received 11 July 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.33.1572

©1986 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

L. Berger

  • Physics Department, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 33, Iss. 3 — 1 February 1986

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×