Domain wall manipulation in magnetic nanotubes induced by electric current pulses

• Published in: Journal of physics. Condensed matter 2012-10, Vol.24 (43), p.436007-436007
• Main Authors: Otálora, J A, López-López, J A, Núñez, A S, Landeros, P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chirality; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Current pulses; Domain walls; Electric current; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid flow; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of nanostructures; Nanotubes; Physics; Tubes; Vortices
• ISSN: 0953-8984; 1361-648X
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/24/43/436007

We propose that the injection of electric currents can be used to independently manipulate the position and chirality of vortex-like domain walls in metallic ferromagnetic nanotubes. We support this proposal upon theoretical and numerical assessment of the magnetization dynamics driven by such currents. We show that proper interplay between the tube geometry, magnitude of the electric current and the duration of a current pulse, can be used to manipulate the position, velocity and chirality of a vortex domain wall. Our calculations suggest that domain wall velocities greater than 1 km s−1 can be achieved for tube diameters of the order of 30 nm and increasing with it. We also find that the transition from steady to precessional domain wall motion occurs for very high electric current densities, of the order of 1013 A m−2. Furthermore, the great stability displayed by such chiral magnetic configurations, and the reduced Ohmic loses provided by the current pulses, lead to highly reproducible and efficient domain wall reversal mechanisms.