Relativistic wave functions and energies for nonzero angular momentum states in light-front dynamics

Light-front dynamics (LFD) is a powerful approach to the theory of relativistic composite systems (hadrons in the quark models and relativistic nucleons in nuclei). Its explicitly covariant version has been recently applied with success to describe the new CEBAF/TJNAF data on the deuteron electromagnetic form factors. The solutions used in were however not obtained from solving exactly the LFD equations but by means of a perturbative calculation with respect to the non relativistic wave function. Since, a consequent effort has been made to obtain exact solutions of LFD equations. The first results concerning J=0 states in a scalar model have been published in nucl-th/9912050. The construction of $J \ne 0$ states in LFD is complicated by the two following facts. First, the generators of the spatial rotations contain interaction and are thus difficult to handle. Second, one is always forced to work in a truncated Fock space, and consequently, the Poincar\'e group commutation relations between the generators -- ensuring the correct properties of the state vector under rotation -- are in practice destroyed. In the standard approach, with the light-front plane defined as $t+z=0$, this violation of rotational invariance manifests by the fact that the energy depends on the angular momentum projection on $z$-axis. We present here a method to construct $J\ne0$ states in the explicitly covariant formulation of LFD and show how it leads to a restoration of rotational invariance.Comment: To appear in Nucl.Phys.B, 3 pages, 2 figures, .tar.gz fil

Two-Body Bound States in Light-Front Dynamics

We present the main features of the explicitly covariant Light-Front Dynamics formalism and a summary of our recent works on this topic. They concern the bound states of two scalar particles in the Wick-Cutkosky model and of two fermions interacting via the usual OBEP ladder kernels.Comment: Invited contribution to the XIVth International School on Nuclear Physics, Varna, Bulgaria, Sept 25-30. 20 pages, 23 figure

Stability of bound states in the light-front Yukawa model

We show that in the system of two fermions interacting by scalar exchange, the solutions for J$^{\pi}$=$0^+$ bound states are stable without any cutoff regularization for coupling constant below some critical value.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, submitted to publicatio

Electromagnetic form factor via Bethe-Salpeter amplitude in Minkowski space

For a relativistic system of two scalar particles, we find the Bethe-Salpeter amplitude in Minkowski space and use it to compute the electromagnetic form factor. The comparison with Euclidean space calculation shows that the Wick rotation in the form factor integral induces errors which increase with the momentum transfer Q^2. At JLab domain (Q^2=10 GeV^2/c^2), they are about 30%. Static approximation results in an additional and more significant error. On the contrary, the form factor calculated in light-front dynamics is almost indistinguishable from the Minkowski space one.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, to be published in Eur. Phys. J. A; Reference [15] is adde

Current-induced Pinwheel Oscillations in Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy Spin Valve Nanopillars

Nanopillar spin valve devices are typically comprised of two ferromagnetic layers: a reference layer and a free layer whose magnetic orientation can be changed by both an external magnetic field and through the introduction of spin-polarized electric current. Here we report the continuous repeated switching behavior of both the reference and free layers of a perpendicular spin valve made of Co/Pd and Co/Ni multilayers that arises for sufficiently large DC currents. This periodic switching of the two layers produces an oscillating signal in the MHz regime but is only observed for one sign of the applied current. The observed behavior agrees well with micromagnetic simulations

Temperature dependent nucleation and propagation of domain walls in a sub-100 nm perpendicularly magnetized Co/Ni multilayer

We present a study of the temperature dependence of the switching fields in Co/Ni-based perpendicularly magnetized spin-valves. While magnetization reversal of all-perpendicular Co/Ni spin valves at ambient temperatures is typically marked by a single sharp step change in resistance, low temperature measurements can reveal a series of resistance steps, consistent with non-uniform magnetization configurations. We propose a model that consists of domain nucleation, propagation and annihilation to explain the temperature dependence of the switching fields. Interestingly, low temperature (<30 K) step changes in resistance that we associate with domain nucleation, have a bimodal switching field and resistance step distribution, attributable to two competing nucleation pathways.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Temperature dependence of the switching field distributions in all-perpendicular spin-valve nanopillars

We present temperature dependent switching measurements of the Co/Ni multilayered free element of 75 nm diameter spin-valve nanopillars. Angular dependent hysteresis measurements as well as switching field measurements taken at low temperature are in agreement with a model of thermal activation over a perpendicular anisotropy barrier. However, the statistics of switching (mean switching field and switching variance) from 20 K up to 400 K are in disagreement with a N\'{e}el-Brown model that assumes a temperature independent barrier height and anisotropy field. We introduce a modified N\'{e}el-Brown model thats fit the experimental data in which we take a $T^{3/2}$ dependence to the barrier height and the anisotropy field due to the temperature dependent magnetization and anisotropy energy.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Time-Resolved Magnetic Relaxation of a Nanomagnet on Subnanosecond Time Scales

We present a two-current-pulse temporal correlation experiment to study the intrinsic subnanosecond nonequilibrium magnetic dynamics of a nanomagnet during and following a pulse excitation. This method is applied to a model spin-transfer system, a spin valve nanopillar with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Two-pulses separated by a short delay (< 500 ps) are shown to lead to the same switching probability as a single pulse with a duration that depends on the delay. This demonstrates a remarkable symmetry between magnetic excitation and relaxation and provides a direct measurement of the magnetic relaxation time. The results are consistent with a simple finite temperature Fokker-Planck macrospin model of the dynamics, suggesting more coherent magnetization dynamics in this short time nonequilibrium limit than near equilibrium

Bimodal switching field distributions in all-perpendicular spin-valve nanopillars

Switching field measurements of the free layer element of 75 nm diameter spin-valve nanopillars reveal a bimodal distribution of switching fields at low temperatures (below 100 K). This result is inconsistent with a model of thermal activation over a single perpendicular anisotropy barrier. The correlation between antiparallel to parallel and parallel to antiparallel switching fields increases to nearly 50% at low temperatures. This reflects random fluctuation of the shift of the free layer hysteresis loop between two different magnitudes, which may originate from changes in the dipole field from the polarizing layer. The magnitude of the loop shift changes by 25% and is correlated to transitions of the spin-valve into an antiparallel configuration.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to JAP for 58th MMM Proceeding

Distortion of the Stoner-Wohlfarth astroid by a spin-polarized current

The Stoner-Wohlfarth astroid is a fundamental object in magnetism. It separates regions of the magnetic field space with two stable magnetization equilibria from those with only one stable equilibrium and it characterizes the magnetization reversal of nano-magnets induced by applied magnetic fields. On the other hand, it was recently demonstrated that transfer of spin angular momentum from a spin-polarized current provides an alternative way of switching the magnetization. Here, we examine the astroid of a nano-magnet with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy under the combined influence of applied fields and spin-transfer torques. We find that spin-transfer is most efficient at modifying the astroid when the external field is applied along the easy-axis of magnetization. On departing from this situation, a threshold current appears below which spin-transfer becomes ineffective yielding a current-induced dip in the astroid along the easy-axis direction. An extension of the Stoner-Wohlfarth model is outlined which accounts for this phenomenon.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure