Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026
09:06
Visualizing Uniaxial-strain Manipulation of Antiferromagnetic Domains in Fe1+YTe Using a Spin-polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscope
Published on: March 24, 2019
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High-speed antiferromagnetic domain walls driven by coherent spin waves
Kyle L Seyler1,2,3, Hantao Zhang4, Daniel Van Beveren1,2
1Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
Nature Communications
|November 7, 2025
Summary
Researchers achieved record-breaking speeds for antiferromagnetic domain walls using laser-generated spin waves. This breakthrough in ultrafast spintronics offers new possibilities for high-speed memory and computing devices.
Area of Science:
- Spintronics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Rapid manipulation of magnetic domain walls is crucial for advanced spintronic devices.
- Antiferromagnetic materials offer high domain wall velocities and robustness.
- Coherent spin waves are a promising, yet experimentally challenging, propulsion mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate spin wave-driven antiferromagnetic domain wall motion.
- To develop methods for measuring high-speed domain wall dynamics.
- To explore control over domain wall propagation direction.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ultrafast laser pulses to generate coherent spin waves.
- Employed a novel technique to map spatiotemporal domain wall dynamics.
- Conducted experiments on the room-temperature antiferromagnetic insulator Sr₂Cu₃O₄Cl₂.
Main Results:
- Achieved record-high antiferromagnetic domain wall velocities up to ~50 km/s.
- Demonstrated bidirectional control of domain wall propagation via laser helicity and winding number.
- Validated findings through theoretical explanation and numerical reproduction.
Conclusions:
- Uncovered a novel spin wave-induced domain wall propulsion mechanism.
- The phenomenon is linked to the in-plane magnon mode in easy-plane anisotropic magnets.
- Opens new avenues for ultrafast coherent antiferromagnetic spintronics.
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