Simulated domain wall dynamics in magnetic nanowires

Abstract

The simulated domain wall dynamics in rectangular 10 nm thick, 2000 nm long Permalloy wires of varying width is presented. In the absence of an applied field the static domain wall length is found to be linearly dependent to the width of the nanowire. As magnetic fields of increasing strength are applied along the wire's long axis, the domain wall motion changes from a uniform reversal to a steplike reversal. The onset of the stepping motion leads to a decrease in the domain wall speed. By continuing to increase the field it is possible to decrease the time between steps increasing the domain wall speed. The critical field associated with the crossover from uniform to nonuniform reversal decreases as the wire width increases. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.