Magnetic domain wall propagation in a submicron spin-valve stripe: Influence of the pinned layer
Abstract
The propagation of a domain wall in a submicron ferromagnetic spin-valve stripe is investigated using giant magnetoresistance. A notch in the stripe efficiently traps an injected wall stopping the domain propagation. The authors show that the magnetic field at which the wall is depinned displays a stochastic nature. Moreover, the depinning statistics are significantly different for head-to-head and tail-to-tail domain walls. This is attributed to the dipolar field generated in the vicinity of the notch by the pinned layer of the spin valve.
- Publication:
-
Applied Physics Letters
- Pub Date:
- January 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.2835201
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0801.0781
- Bibcode:
- 2008ApPhL..92c2508B
- Keywords:
-
- 85.70.Kh;
- 75.70.Kw;
- 75.70.Cn;
- 75.50.Tt;
- 75.50.Bb;
- 75.47.De;
- Magnetic thin film devices: magnetic heads;
- domain-motion devices etc.;
- Domain structure;
- Magnetic properties of interfaces;
- Fine-particle systems;
- nanocrystalline materials;
- Fe and its alloys;
- Giant magnetoresistance;
- Condensed Matter - Materials Science
- E-Print:
- Applied Physics Letters 92 (2008) 032508