Magnetic domain wall motion triggered by an electric current

Abstract

The current-induced propagation of magnetic domain walls is studied in CoFe nanoconstrictions patterned by electron beam lithography. Propagation of the walls was confirmed by magnetic force microscopy imaging. The device geometry allows us to distinguish between various mechanisms of interaction between electric current and domain walls: a mechanism in which spin transfer associated with current traversing a domain wall dominates. As expected for such a mechanism the domain wall propagation occurs in the direction of electron current flow and has a current threshold of the order ${\text{∼10}}^{11}\hspace{0.17em}{\mathrm{A/m}}^2.$