Magneto-mechanical interplay in spin-polarized point contacts

TL;DR

This study explores the strong coupling between magnetic and structural dynamics in ferromagnetic atomic point contacts, revealing atomic relaxation significantly influences magnetic energy barriers, while magnetic states minimally affect structural relaxation.

Contribution

It demonstrates the magnitude of atomic relaxation effects on magnetic barriers and the weak influence of magnetic states on structural relaxation in ferromagnetic point contacts.

Findings

Atomic relaxation can change energy barriers by up to 200%.

Magnetic states have little effect on structural relaxation.

Strong coupling exists between structural and magnetic degrees of freedom.

Abstract

We investigate the interplay between magnetic and structural dynamics in ferromagnetic atomic point contacts. In particular, we look at the effect of the atomic relaxation on the energy barrier for magnetic domain wall migration and, reversely, at the effect of the magnetic state on the mechanical forces and structural relaxation. We observe changes of the barrier height due to the atomic relaxation up to 200%, suggesting a very strong coupling between the structural and the magnetic degrees of freedom. The reverse interplay is weak, i.e. the magnetic state has little effect on the structural relaxation at equilibrium or under non-equilibrium, current-carrying conditions.