English

Skyrmion dynamics in chiral ferromagnets under spin-transfer torque

Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics 2015-08-21 v1

Abstract

We study the dynamics of skyrmions under spin-transfer torque in Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya materials with easy-axis anisotropy. In particular, we study the motion of a topological skyrmion with skyrmion number Q=1Q=1 and a non-topological skyrmionium with Q=0Q=0 using their linear momentum, virial relations, and numerical simulations. The non-topological Q=0Q=0 skyrmionium is accelerated in the direction of the current flow and it either reaches a steady state with constant velocity, or it is elongated to infinity. The steady-state velocity is given by a balance between current and dissipation and has an upper limit. In contrast, the topological Q=1Q=1 skyrmion converges to a steady-state with constant velocity at an angle to the current flow. When the spin current stops the Q=1Q=1 skyrmion is spontaneously pinned whereas the Q=0Q=0 skyrmionium continues propagation. Exact solutions for the propagating skyrmionium are identified as solutions of equations given numerically in a previous work. Further exact results for propagating skyrmions are given in the case of the pure exchange model. The traveling solutions provide arguments that a spin-polarized current will cause rigid motion of a skyrmion or a skyrmionium.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1508.04821,
  title  = {Skyrmion dynamics in chiral ferromagnets under spin-transfer torque},
  author = {Stavros Komineas and Nikos Papanicolaou},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1508.04821},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

7 pages, 5 figures