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Dissipation of spin angular momentum in magnetic switching
C Stamm1, I Tudosa, H C Siegmann
1Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, California 94309, USA. stohr@slac.stanford.edu
Physical Review Letters
|August 11, 2005
Summary
Researchers observed up to 10 magnetization switches in iron films using a single magnetic pulse. Dissipation rates during spin precession increased with time and thickness, exceeding intrinsic relaxation.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Understanding magnetization dynamics is crucial for magnetic storage technologies.
- Ultrafast magnetic field pulses offer precise control over magnetic materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate magnetization switching dynamics in ultrathin iron (Fe) films.
- To quantify angular momentum dissipation during spin precession.
Main Methods:
- Single crystalline Fe films of 10 and 15 atomic layers were used.
- An ultrashort magnetic field pulse was applied to induce magnetization precession.
Main Results:
- Up to 10 precessional switches of magnetization direction were observed.
- Angular momentum dissipation rate increased with time and film thickness.
- Dissipation rates surpassed intrinsic ferromagnetic resonance spin lattice relaxation by nearly an order of magnitude.
Conclusions:
- Ultrafast magnetic pulses can induce multiple magnetization switches.
- Angular momentum dissipation is significantly enhanced in these thin films.
- Findings have implications for high-speed magnetic memory design.