Magnetization reversal in the anisotropy-dominated regime using time-dependent magnetic fields

We study magnetization reversal using various r.f. magnetic pulses. We show numerically that switching is possible with simple sinusoidal pulses; however the optimum approach is to use a frequency-swept (chirped) r.f. magnetic pulse, the shape of which can be derived analytically. Switching times of the order of nanoseconds can be achieved with relatively small r.f. fields, independent of the anisotropy's strength

Albedos and diameters of three Mars Trojan asteroids

We observed the Mars Trojan asteroids (5261) Eureka and (101429) 1998 VF31 and the candidate Mars Trojan 2001 FR127 at 11.2 and 18.1 microns using Michelle on the Gemini North telescope. We derive diameters of 1.28, 0.78, and <0.52 km, respectively, with corresponding geometric visible albedos of 0.39, 0.32, and >0.14. The albedos for Eureka and 1998 VF31 are consistent with the taxonomic classes and compositions (S(I)/angritic and S(VII)/achrondritic, respectively) and implied histories presented in a companion paper by Rivkin et al. Eureka's surface likely has a relatively high thermal inertia, implying a thin regolith that is consistent with predictions and the small size that we derive.Comment: Icarus, in press. See companion paper 0709.1925 by Rivkin et al; two minor typos fixe

Resonant switching using spin valves

Using micromagnetics we demonstrate that the r.f. field produced by a spin valve can be used to reverse the magnetization in a magnetic nanoparticle. The r.f. field is generated using a current that specifically excites a uniform spin wave in the spin valve. This current is swept such that the chirped-frequency generated by the valve matches the angular dependent resonant frequency of the anisotropy-dominated magnetic nanoparticle, as a result of which the magnetization reversal occurs. The switching is fast, requires currents similar to those used in recent experiments with spin valves, and is stable with respect to small perturbations. This phenomenon can potentially be employed in magnetic information storage devices or recently discussed magnetic computing schemes

Switching spin valves using r.f. currents

We show that magnetization reversal in spin-injection devices can be significantly faster when using a chirped r.f. rather than d.c current pulse. Alternatively one can use a simple sinusoidal r.f. pulse or an optimized series of alternating, equal-amplitude, square pulses of varying width (a digitized approximation to a chirped r.f. pulse) to produce switching using much smaller currents than with a d.c. pulse.Comment: please disregard the previous versio

Continuous Neel to Bloch Transition as Thickness Increases: Statics and Dynamics

We analyze the properties of Neel and Bloch domain walls as a function of film thickness h, for systems where, in addition to exchange, the dipole-dipole interaction must be included. The Neel to Bloch phase transition is found to be a second order transition at hc, mediated by a single unstable mode that corresponds to oscillatory motion of the domain wall center. A uniform out-of-plane rf-field couples strongly to this critical mode only in the Neel phase. An analytical Landau theory shows that the critical mode frequency varies as the square root of (hc - h) just below the transition, as found numerically.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Analytical and micromagnetic study of a Neel domain wall

Journals published by the American Physical Society can be found at http://journals.aps.org/For ferromagnets with exchange, dipolar interaction, and uniaxial anisotropy, by both analytic methods and micromagnetic simulations we study Neel domain walls in thin ferromagnetic strips of finite width. Comparison of the numerical results with the analytics yields parameter values that had been unspecified by the analytics, and determines the modifications needed to describe the magnetization both near the strip center and near the boundaries. With no uniaxial anisotropy, the domain wall center can be described by the same hyperbolic secant form as with uniaxial anisotropy, but the effective anisotropy constant must now be thought of as increasing with increasing film thickness and decreasing with increasing film width

Micromagnetic simulations of absoption spectra

Further development of a previously introduced method for numerically simulating magnetic spin waves is presented. Together with significant improvements in speed, the method now allows one to calculate the energy absorbed by the various modes excited by a position- and time-dependent H1 field in a ferromagnetic body of arbitrary shape in the presence of a (uniform or non uniform) static H0 field as well as the internal exchange and anisotropy fields. The method is applied to the case of the single vortex state in a thin disc, a ring, and various square slabs, for which the absorption spectra are calculated and the most strongly excited resonance modes are identified