Magnetoelectric antiferromagnets as platforms for the manipulation of solitons

Ricardo Zarzuela, Se Kwon Kim, and Yaroslav Tserkovnyak
Phys. Rev. B 97, 014418 – Published 17 January 2018

Abstract

We study the magnetic dynamics of magnetoelectric antiferromagnetic thin films, where an unconventional boundary ferromagnetism coexists with the bulk Néel phase below the Néel temperature. The spin exchange between the two order parameters yields an effective low-energy theory that is formally equivalent to that of a ferrimagnet. Dynamics of domain walls and skyrmions are analyzed within the collective-variable approach, from which we conclude that they behave as massive particles moving in a viscous medium subjected to a gyrotropic force. We find that the film thickness can be used as a control parameter for the motion of these solitons. In this regard, it is shown that an external magnetic field can drive the dynamics of domain walls, whose terminal velocity is tunable with the sample thickness. Furthermore, the classification of the skyrmion dynamics is sensitive to the spatial modulation of the sample thickness, which can be easily engineered with the present (thin-film) deposition techniques. Current-driven spin transfer can trigger drifting orbits of skyrmions, which can be utilized as racetracks for these magnetic textures.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 18 July 2017
  • Revised 15 November 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.97.014418

©2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Ricardo Zarzuela, Se Kwon Kim, and Yaroslav Tserkovnyak

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 97, Iss. 1 — 1 January 2018

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
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
×