Domain wall dynamics and interlayer interactions in magnetic trilayer systems studied by XMCD-PEEM

We have used time-resolved x-ray magnetic circular dichroism combined with photoemission electron microscopy (XMCD-PEEM) to investigate the layer-resolved microscopic magnetization reversal in FeNi/X/Co (with X=Cu, Al₂O₃) trilayer systems. These measurements were performed in pump-probe mode, synchronizing magnetic pulses with synchrotron x-ray pulses. The good magnetic contrast observed for most samples reveals that in many cases the magnetization reversal is reproducible. We have used the measurements to obtain domain wall propagation speeds as a function of applied magnetic field, and to investigate the influence of domain wall interactions on the magnetic switching.     

Biased quasiballistic spin torque magnetization reversal

We explore the ultrafast limit of spin torque magnetization reversal time. Spin torque precession during a spin torque current pulse and free magnetization ringing after the pulse is detected by time-resolved magnetotransport. Adapting the duration of the pulse to the precession period allows coherent control of the final orientation of the magnetization. In the presence of a hard axis bias field, we find optimum quasiballistic spin torque magnetization reversal by a single precessional turn directly from the initial to the reversed equilibrium state.     

The study of ultrafast magnetization dynamics induced by femtosecond laser pulses in GdFeCo amorphous film

The time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopy technique is used to study the ultrafast magnetization dynamics induced by femtosecond laser pulses in GdFeCo amorphous film. We study concretely the influence of the different pump fluence and the different external magnetic field on magnetization dynamics of ultrafast demagnetization, magnetization reversal and magnetization recovery. The pump fluence dependence magnetization dynamics shows that the degree of demagnetization, the degree of magnetization reversal and the time of magnetization recovery increase with pump fluence, which can be interpreted by the “three-temperature” model. The external magnetic field dependence magnetization dynamics shows that the rate of magnetization reversal increases with the external field, which accord with the magnetization reversal mechanism based on the reversed magnetic domain nucleation and domain-wall motion.     

Quasiballistic magnetization reversal

We demonstrate a quasiballistic switching of the magnetization in a microscopic magnetoresistive memory cell. By means of time resolved magnetotransport, we follow the large angle precession of the free layer magnetization of a spin valve cell upon application of transverse magnetic field pulses. Stopping the field pulse after a 180 degrees precession rotation leads to magnetization reversal with reversal times as short as 165 ps. This switching mode represents the fundamental ultrafast limit of field induced magnetization reversal.     

Modeling magnetization oscillations in ferromagnetic cobalt disks exposed to picosecond laser pulses

Magnetic reversal of a ferromagnetic single-domain nanoparticle in the form of a disk contained in a multilayer nanostructure irradiated by linearly and circularly polarized picosecond laser pulses is modeled. It is shown that heating of the disk by the laser light causes a change in its direction of magnetization. This is accompanied by oscillations in the magnetization that decay over 1–16 ns. The frequencies of these oscillations lie in the range of 0.5–26 GHz. The main reason for the magnetic reversal of the disk is a change in the magnetic anisotropy energy during heating. The laser pulses also create a spin-polarized current and an inverse Faraday magneto-optical field in the structure, which influence the duration, amplitude, and frequency of the magnetization oscillations.     

Improved selective 180° radiofrequency pulses for magnetization inversion and phase reversal

Many efforts have been made to find a good selective 180° rf pulse, which include using amplitude and phase modulations, applying optimization techniques, and employing double-pulse techniques. While adequate selective magnetization inversion pulses have been designed, problems remain in the design of selective phase reversal pulses. In this paper we describe a novel approach which achieves large nutation angle selective rf pulses by using a series of small nutation angle pulse twins with alternated gradients (SNAPTAG). The design scheme takes into account the special properties of the rotation matrix appropriate for describing an rf pulse in the presence of a static field gradient. These pulses are suitable not only for selective magnetization inversion but also for selective phase reversal.     

Dynamics of magnetic stray fields at initial stage of magnetization reversal of micrometer-sized Co dots

The dynamical evolution of magnetic stray fields has been investigated at the initial stage of magnetization reversal of a microstructured cobalt film (Co dots). Quantitative measurements of the domain magnetization and of the shift of the domain boundaries have been performed at 1 ns intervals. The measurements were performed using an emission electron microscope. The photoelectrons were excited from a sample using well-defined synchrotron-radiation pulses in single bunch operation mode (UE56/1-PGM at BESSY II, Berlin). The magnetization movement was initiated by an external magnetic field pulse, the pulse width being 8 ns. The magnetic field pulse was synchronized with the synchrotron single bunch radiation pulses. The lateral and time resolutions of the applied pulses were 50 nm and 500 ps, respectively. PACS 31.70.Hq; 68.37.Xy; 75.70.-i; 75.75.+a     

Phase coherent precessional magnetization reversal in microscopic spin valve elements

We evidence multiple coherent precessional magnetization reversal in microscopic spin valves. Stable, reversible, and highly efficient magnetization switching is triggered by transverse field pulses as short as 140 ps with energies down to 15 pJ. At high fields a phase coherent reversal is found revealing periodic transitions from switching to nonswitching under variation of pulse parameters. At the low field limit the existence of a relaxation dominated regime is established allowing switching by pulse amplitudes below the quasistatic switching threshold.     

Picosecond control of coherent magnetisation dynamics in permalloy thin films by picosecond magnetic field pulse shaping

We have measured the response of a 20×10 μm, 8 nm thin NiFe (80:20) permalloy film due to excitation by short in-plane magnetic field pulses. We will show that using a two-pulse-technique a complete control of the precessional motion of the magnetisation can be achieved on picosecond timescales. Furthermore, we will present numerical calculations which show that a complete suppression of magnetisation ringing after switching can only be realised by a cascade of short field pulses.     

Magnetisation reversal in cylindrical nickel nanobars involving magnetic vortex structure: A micromagnetic study

A three-dimensional, Fast-Fourier-Transformed (3D-FFT) micromagnetic simulation was employed to study the magnetization reversal mechanisms in cylindrical nickel nanobars possessing magnetic vortices. Individual Ni nanobars of height 150–250 nm with aspect ratio varying from 2.1 to 2.5 were considered, all of them supporting magnetic vortices domains. Magnetization reversal in these nanobars involves the vortex-creation–annihilation (VCA) mechanism with an inversion symmetry feature observed mid-way during reversal process. The effect of incidence angle of externally applied field on overall magnetization reversal process is examined in detail. The corresponding variations in coercivity, squareness, exchange energy and vortex parameters are described by the micromagnetic study that can shed insights for building practical Ni nanobars magnetic nanostructures/devices.     

Ultrafast nanomagnetic toggle switching of vortex cores

We present an ultrafast route for a controlled, toggle switching of magnetic vortex cores with ultrashort unipolar magnetic field pulses. The switching process is found to be largely insensitive to extrinsic parameters, like sample size and shape, and it is faster than any field-driven magnetization reversal process previously known from micromagnetic theory. Micromagnetic simulations demonstrate that the vortex core reversal is mediated by a rapid sequence of vortex-antivortex pair creation and annihilation subprocesses. Specific combinations of field-pulse strength and duration are required to obtain a controlled vortex core reversal. The operational range of this reversal mechanism is summarized in a switching diagram for a 200 nm Permalloy disk.     

Some theoretical aspects of rock-magnetism

The memoir is devoted to a brief theoretical study of the most typical magnetic properties of rocks. In particular §§ 3–16 are on ferrimagnetism, §§ 17–35 on single domain particles and §§ 36–57 on large multi-domain particles.

Theoretical studies are made of the following aspects of the subject and compared with the experimental results: remanent magnetization (§ 38), initial susceptibility (§ 39), variation with applied field of thermoremanent magnetization (abbreviated to T.R.M.) (§§ 40, 41, 57), the ratio Q_k of T.R.M. acquired in a given field to the induced magnetization in the same field (§ 42), the additivity of partial T.R.M.'s in the case both of small grains (§ 28) and large grains (§ 57).

Considerable space is devoted to the magnetic ‘viscosity’ due to thermal agitation in small grains (§§ 24–27) and in larger ones (§§ 49–56). Expressions are given for magnetic ‘viscosity’ in the range of Rayleigh's relations (§ 51) particularly with a demagnetizing field present (§ 54). The theoretical and experimental results on the irreversible decrease in isothermal remanent magnetization are briefly quoted both for small (§ 30) and large (§ 55) grains.

Different reversing mechanisms are reviewed which could cause a negative T.R.M., that is one directed in the opposite sense to the field applied during cooling. Some are related to negative Weiss-Heisenberg exchange forces: reversal by diffusion involving ionic exchange between the two sub-lattices in a ferrimagnetic (§ 7), reversal by anomalous thermal variation is spontaneous magnetization (§§ 11, 12), reversal by diffusion with complete change of composition (§ 16). The others are effects of the demagnetizing field: reversal in mixtures of two constituents with different Curie Points (§§ 31–34), reversal by segregation, allotropy and chemical alteration (§ 35). The actual examples so far known are recalled.     

Parameter dependence of resonant spin torque magnetization reversal

We numerically study ultra fast resonant spin torque (ST) magnetization reversal in magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJ) driven by current pulses having a direct current (DC) and a resonant alternating current (AC) component. The precessional ST dynamics of the single domain MTJ free layer cell are modeled in the macro spin approximation. The energy efficiency, reversal time, and reversal reliability are investigated under variation of pulse parameters like direct and AC current amplitude, AC frequency and AC phase. We find a range of AC and direct current amplitudes where robust resonant ST reversal is obtained with faster switching time and reduced energy consumption per pulse compared to purely direct current ST reversal. However, for a certain range of AC and direct current amplitudes a strong dependence of the reversal properties on AC frequency and phase is found. Such regions of unreliable reversal must be avoided for ST memory applications.     

The Observation and Dynamics of 1H NMR Spin Noise in Methanol

The observation of ¹H spin noise in relation to prior established magnetization and radiation damping has revealed a correlated dynamics. The spin noise of methyl satellites in ¹³C-enriched methanol was observed in the presence of an antiphase magnetization, created by the combination of ¹H–¹³C J coupling evolution and radiofrequency (RF) pulses. A gradient pulse was applied to remove residue spin coherence coming from the RF pulses, and as a result spin noise phenomena were uncovered. While magnetization was in an inverted metastable state, the spin–spin relaxation time was shortened to prevent a super radiation burst. The relation between magnetization, radiation damping, and absorption or emission of the spin noise of methyl satellites has been studied. In relation to magnetization and radiation damping, spin noise bump and dip have been observed simultaneously in the same molecule. Both can be created through a proper inversion of magnetization. The revealed spin noise dynamics of spin system coupling to the probe circuit via radiation damping allows performance of a transformation from dip into bump by proper application of pulses combined with ¹H–¹³C J coupling evolution.     

The use of Lorentz microscopy for the determination of magnetic reversal mechanism of exchange-biased Co30Fe70/NiMn bilayer

Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) combined with in-situ magnetizing experiments is a powerful tool for the investigation of the magnetization of the reversal process at the micron scale. We have implemented this tool on a conventional transmission electron microscope (TEM) to study the exchange anisotropy of a polycrystalline Co₃₅Fe₆₅/NiMn bilayer. Semi-quantitative maps of the magnetic induction were obtained at different field values by the differential phase contrast (DPC) technique adapted for a TEM (SIDPC). The hysteresis loop of the bilayer has been calculated from the relative intensity of magnetic maps. The curve shows the appearance of an exchange-bias field reveals with two distinct reversal modes of the magnetization: the first path corresponds to a reversal by wall propagation when the applied field is parallel to the anisotropy direction whereas the second is a reversal by coherent rotation of magnetic moments when the field is applied antiparallel to unidirectional anisotropy direction.     

Kerr microscopy study of magnetization reversal in uniaxial Co-films

We have studied the magnetization reversal of uniaxial Co(1 0 1 0) films as a function of the applied field orientation by means of magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy. Hereby, we find that while stable intermediate domain states exist for most field directions, their occurrence is suppressed for field orientations along the easy axis of magnetization. To facilitate this study, we have developed a data extraction methodology that allows for the quantitative analysis and compact display of entire magnetization distribution field-sequences in a single picture. It furthermore allows for the automated data analysis to unambiguously distinguish magnetization rotation processes from field-induced domain formation.     

Kinetics of magnetization reversal in a thin La<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> manganite film

The kinetics of magnetization reversal of a thin LSMO film has been studied for the first time. It is shown that the magnetic domain structure critically depends on the conditions of structure formation. In the demagnetized state (after zero-field cooling from T _c ), a maze-like domain microstructure with perpendicular magnetization is formed in the film. However, after field cooling and/or saturating magnetization by a field of arbitrary orientation, the [110] direction of spontaneous magnetization in the film plane is stabilized; this pattern corresponds to macrodomains with in-plane magnetization. Further film magnetization reversal (both quasi-static and pulsed) from this state is implemented via nucleation and motion of 180° “head-to-head” domain walls. Upon pulse magnetization reversal, the walls “jump” at a distance proportional to the applied field strength and then undergo thermally activated drift. All dynamic characterisitcs critically depend on the temperature when the latter varies around the room temperature.     

Magnetic field dependence of asymmetry in the magnetization reversal of ultrathin Co films and Co/Pt multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy

We studied the magnetization reversal in ultrathin [Co/Pt]_n films (n=1, 2, and 4) using magneto-optical Kerr microscopy. These materials demonstrate unusual asymmetries in the activity of nucleation centers and domain wall motion. It was found that application of very high holding magnetic field prior to magnetization reversal, exceeding some critical value much larger than the apparent saturation field, suppresses the subsequent ‘asymmetric’ nucleation centers, activity. We revealed that the ‘asymmetric’ nucleation centers become active again after subsequent reversal cycles coming from a smaller holding field and studied how the asymmetry returns with the decrease of applied holding field. It was found that in low-coercivity ultrathin Co films, the asymmetry in domain wall velocity decreased sharply with the applied field increase and disappeared when the reversal field is greater than μ₀H=1.5 mT.     

Complete magnetizing field relating with magnetization reversal dynamics

We report the experimental finding that a complete magnetizing field H_M exists in magnetization reversal dynamics of ferromagnetic thin films, which is much larger than the apparent magnetic saturation field measured from the major hysteresis loop. Magnetization reversal dynamics contrastingly changes from nucleation dominated to wall-motion dominated according to an initial magnetization state magnetized by a field below H_M, whereas it is basically unchanged when the field is larger than H_M. The complete magnetizing field is found to be 1.5–2.0 times larger than the apparent magnetic saturation field and 6–10 times smaller than the anisotropy field in Co/Pd multilayer thin films.     

自发磁化的超导π环在电触发下的行为

运用Runge-Kutta四步积分法分析了一个双结π环电路在输入脉冲电流触发下自发磁化电流的翻转过程.发现在适当的参数条件下，输入周期性脉冲，π环环流会产生周期性翻转现象，由正到负和由负到正的翻转将产生不同的输出脉冲.以此可检验π环自发磁化电流的方向和电触发下的翻转现象. 关键词： π结 自发磁化 Runge-Kutta四步积分法