Resistance of a domain wall in the quasiclassical approach
Abstract
Starting from a simple microscopic model, we have derived a kinetic equation for the matrix distribution function. We employed this equation to calculate the conductance G in a mesoscopic F'/F/F' structure with a domain wall (DW). In the limit of a small exchange energy J and an abrupt DW, the conductance of the structure is equal to G2d=4σ↑σ↓/ (σ↑+σ↓)L. Assuming that the scattering times for electrons with up and down spins are close to each other we show that the account for a finite width of the DW leads to an increase in this conductance. We have also calculated the spatial distribution of the electric field in the F wire. In the opposite limit of large J (adiabatic variation of the magnetization in the DW) the conductance coincides in the main approximation with the conductance of a single-domain structure G1d=(σ↑+σ↓)/L. The account for rotation of the magnetization in the DW leads to a negative correction to this conductance. Our results differ from the results in papers published earlier.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review B
- Pub Date:
- November 2002
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevB.66.184403
- arXiv:
- arXiv:cond-mat/0208520
- Bibcode:
- 2002PhRvB..66r4403B
- Keywords:
-
- 75.60.Ch;
- 75.70.-i;
- 74.50.+r;
- Domain walls and domain structure;
- Magnetic properties of thin films surfaces and interfaces;
- Tunneling phenomena;
- point contacts weak links Josephson effects;
- Condensed Matter - Materials Science;
- Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
- E-Print:
- 11 pages