Quantum solids, liquids, and gases program: Dissipative dynamics of magnetic solitons in metallic ferromagnets

by Dr Wong Clement (UCLA)

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Stockholm

We develop the hydrodynamic theory of collinear spin currents coupled to magnetization dynamics in spin-textured, metallic ferromagnets. Our semi-phenomenological theory captures a wide range of magneto-electric phenomena, including a dissipative force generated by magnetization dynamics and the Onsager reciprocal "beta" spin torque. Furthermore, we find that electronic dynamics gives rise to a non-local Gilbert damping tensor in the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation for the magnetization. Applying our hydrodynamic equations to soliton dynamics, we find that soliton motion generate electrical currents, which produce back-action through spin torques. As an example, we consider vortex gyration in a point-contact spin valve, and find modifications to orbit radius, frequency, and dissipation power.