3,645 research outputs found
Switching the magnetic configuration of a spin valve by current induced domain wall motion
We present experimental results on the displacement of a domain wall by
injection of a dc current through the wall. The samples are 1 micron wide long
stripes of a CoO/Co/Cu/NiFe classical spin valve structure.
The stripes have been patterned by electron beam lithography. A neck has been
defined at 1/3 of the total length of the stripe and is a pinning center for
the domain walls, as shown by the steps of the giant magnetoresistance curves
at intermediate levels (1/3 or 2/3) between the resistances corresponding to
the parallel and antiparallel configurations. We show by electric transport
measurements that, once a wall is trapped, it can be moved by injecting a dc
current higher than a threshold current of the order of magnitude of 10^7
A/cm^2. We discuss the different possible origins of this effect, i.e. local
magnetic field created by the current and/or spin transfer from spin polarized
current.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figure
Thermal Effects on the Magnetic Field Dependence of Spin Transfer Induced Magnetization Reversal
We have developed a self-aligned, high-yield process to fabricate CPP
(current perpendicular to the plane) magnetic sensors of sub 100 nm dimensions.
A pinned synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) is used as the reference layer which
minimizes dipole coupling to the free layer and field induced rotation of the
reference layer. We find that the critical currents for spin transfer induced
magnetization reversal of the free layer vary dramatically with relatively
small changes the in-plane magnetic field, in contrast to theoretical
predictions based on stability analysis of the Gilbert equations of
magnetization dynamics including Slonczewski-type spin-torque terms. The
discrepancy is believed due to thermal fluctuations over the time scale of the
measurements. Once thermal fluctuations are taken into account, we find good
quantitative agreement between our experimental results and numerical
simulations.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, Submitted to Appl. Phys. Lett., Comparison of
some of these results with a model described by N. Smith in cond-mat/040648
Chiral nature of magnetic monopoles in artificial spin ice
Micromagnetic properties of monopoles in artificial kagome spin ice systems
are investigated using numerical simulations. We show that micromagnetics
brings additional complexity into the physics of these monopoles that is, by
essence, absent in spin models: besides a fractionalized classical magnetic
charge, monopoles in the artificial kagome ice are chiral at remanence. Our
simulations predict that the chirality of these monopoles can be controlled
without altering their charge state. This chirality breaks the vertex symmetry
and triggers a directional motion of the monopole under an applied magnetic
field. Our results also show that the choice of the geometrical features of the
lattice can be used to turn on and off this chirality, thus allowing the
investigation of chiral and achiral monopoles.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure
A giant planet imaged in the disk of the young star Beta Pictoris
Here we show that the ~10 Myr Beta Pictoris system hosts a massive giant
planet, Beta Pictoris b, located 8 to 15 AU from the star. This result confirms
that gas giant planets form rapidly within disks and validates the use of disk
structures as fingerprints of embedded planets. Among the few planets already
imaged, Beta Pictoris b is the closest to its parent star. Its short period
could allow recording the full orbit within 17 years.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. Published online 10 June 2010;
10.1126/science.1187187. To appear in Scienc
High resolution imaging of young M-type stars of the solar neighborhood: Probing the existence of companions down to the mass of Jupiter
Context. High contrast imaging is a powerful technique to search for gas
giant planets and brown dwarfs orbiting at separation larger than several AU.
Around solar-type stars, giant planets are expected to form by core accretion
or by gravitational instability, but since core accretion is increasingly
difficult as the primary star becomes lighter, gravitational instability would
be the a probable formation scenario for yet-to-be-found distant giant planets
around a low-mass star. A systematic survey for such planets around M dwarfs
would therefore provide a direct test of the efficiency of gravitational
instability. Aims. We search for gas giant planets orbiting around late-type
stars and brown dwarfs of the solar neighborhood. Methods. We obtained deep
high resolution images of 16 targets with the adaptive optic system of VLT-NACO
in the Lp band, using direct imaging and angular differential imaging. This is
currently the largest and deepest survey for Jupiter-mass planets around
Mdwarfs. We developed and used an integrated reduction and analysis pipeline to
reduce the images and derive our 2D detection limits for each target. The
typical contrast achieved is about 9 magnitudes at 0.5" and 11 magnitudes
beyond 1". For each target we also determine the probability of detecting a
planet of a given mass at a given separation in our images. Results. We derived
accurate detection probabilities for planetary companions, taking into account
orbital projection effects, with in average more than 50% probability to detect
a 3MJup companion at 10AU and a 1.5MJup companion at 20AU, bringing strong
constraints on the existence of Jupiter-mass planets around this sample of
young M-dwarfs.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&
beta Pic b position relative to the Debris Disk
Context. We detected in 2009 a giant, close-by planet orbiting {\beta} Pic, a
young star surrounded with a disk, extensively studied for more than 20 years.
We showed that if located on an inclined orbit, the planet could explain
several peculiarities of {\beta} Pictoris system. However, the available data
did not permit to measure the inclination of {\beta} Pic b with respect to the
disk, and in particular to establish in which component of the disk - the main,
extended disk or the inner inclined component/disk-, the planet was located.
Comparison between the observed planet position and the disk orientation
measured on previous imaging data was not an option because of potential biases
in the measurements. Aims. Our aim is to measure precisely the planet location
with respect to the dust disk using a single high resolution image, and
correcting for systematics or errors that degrades the precision of the disk
and planet relative position measurements. Methods. We gathered new NaCo data
at Ks band, with a set-up optimized to derive simultaneously the orientation(s)
of the disk(s) and that of the planet. Results. We show that the projected
position of {\beta} Pic b is above the midplane of the main disk. With the
current data and knowledge on the system, this implies that {\beta} Pic b
cannot be located in the main disk. The data rather suggest the planet being
located in the inclined component.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, to appear in Astronomy and Astrophysic
- …