Depinning of domain walls with an internal degree of freedom

V. Lecomte, S. E. Barnes, J.-P. Eckmann, and T. Giamarchi
Phys. Rev. B 80, 054413 – Published 21 August 2009

Abstract

Taking into account the coupling between the position of the wall and an internal degree of freedom, namely, its phase φ, we examine, in the rigid-wall approximation, the dynamics of a magnetic domain wall subject to a weak pinning potential. We determine the corresponding force-velocity characteristics, which display several unusual features when compared to the standard depinning behavior. At zero temperature, there exists a bistable regime for low forces, with a logarithmic behavior close to the transition. For weak pinning, there occurs a succession of bistable transitions corresponding to different topological modes of the phase evolution. At finite temperature, the force-velocity characteristics become nonmonotonous. We compare our results to recent experiments on permalloy nanowires.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 10 June 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.80.054413

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

V. Lecomte1, S. E. Barnes1,2, J.-P. Eckmann3, and T. Giamarchi1

  • 1DPMC-MaNEP, University of Geneva, 24 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
  • 2Physics Department, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33124, USA
  • 3Department of Theoretical Physics and Section de Mathématiques, University of Geneva, 24 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 80, Iss. 5 — 1 August 2009

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
×