Universal Critical Exponents of the Magnetic Domain Wall Depinning Transition

TL;DR

This study experimentally determines the critical exponents of magnetic domain wall depinning in a ferrimagnetic thin film, showing it aligns with the quenched Edwards-Wilkinson universality class, thus deepening understanding of magnetic phase transitions.

Contribution

First direct experimental measurement of critical exponents for magnetic domain wall depinning, confirming its universality class in a ferrimagnetic system.

Findings

Velocity exponent β = 0.30 ± 0.03

Correlation length exponent ν = 1.3 ± 0.3

Depinning transition follows quenched Edwards-Wilkinson universality class

Abstract

Magnetic field driven domain wall dynamics in a ferrimagnetic GdFeCo thin film with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is studied using low temperature magneto-optical Kerr microscopy. Measurements performed in a practically athermal condition allow for the direct experimental determination of the velocity ($ \beta = 0.30 \pm 0.03 $) and correlation length ($ \nu = 1.3 \pm 0.3 $) exponents of the depinning transition. The whole family of exponents characterizing the transition is deduced, providing evidence that the depinning of magnetic domain walls is better described by the quenched Edwards-Wilkinson universality class.