Magnetic domain wall motion by spin transfer

TL;DR

This paper reviews how spin-polarized currents can manipulate magnetic domain walls via spin transfer torque, offering a promising approach for non-volatile magnetic memory devices.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms and current research on magnetic domain wall motion driven by spin transfer, highlighting its potential applications.

Findings

Spin transfer torque can effectively move magnetic domain walls.

The microscopic origin of spin transfer effects remains debated.

Applications in non-volatile magnetic memories are promising.

Abstract

The discovery that a spin polarized current can exert a large torque on a ferromagnet through a transfusion of spin angular momentum, offers a new way to control a magnetization by simple current injection, without the help of an applied external field. Spin transfer can be used to induce magnetization reversals and oscillations, or to control the position of a magnetic domain wall. In this review, we focus on this last mechanism, which is today the subject of an extensive research, both because the microscopic details for its origin are still debated, but also because promising applications are at stake for non-volatile magnetic memories.