Alexey A. Kovalev

Magnetoelectric domain wall dynamics and its implications for magnetoelectric memory

Domain wall dynamics in a magnetoelectric antiferromagnet is analyzed, and its implications for magnetoelectric memory applications are discussed. Cr2O3 is used in the estimates of the materials parameters. It is found that the domain wall mobility has a maximum as a function of the electric field due to the gyrotropic coupling induced by it. In Cr2O3, the maximal mobility of 0.1u2009m/(su2009Oe) is reached at E≈0.06u2009V/nm. Fields of this order may be too weak to overcome the intrinsic depinning field, which is estimated for B-doped Cr2O3. These major drawbacks for device implementation can be overcome by applying a small in-plane shear strain, which blocks the domain wall precession. Domain wall mobility of about 0.7u2009m/(su2009Oe) can then be achieved at Eu2009=u20090.2u2009V/nm. A split-gate scheme is proposed for the domain-wall controlled bit element; its extension to multiple-gate linear arrays can offer advantages in memory density, programmability, and logic functionality.

Stability of skyrmion lattices and symmetries of quasi-two-dimensional chiral magnets

Recently there has been substantial interest in realizations of skyrmions, in particular in quasi-two-dimensional (2D) systems due to increased stability resulting from reduced dimensionality. A stable skyrmion, representing the smallest realizable magnetic texture, could be an ideal element for ultradense magnetic memories. Here we use the most general form of the quasi-2D free energy with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions constructed from general symmetry considerations reflecting the underlying system. We predict that the skyrmion phase is robust and it is present even when the system lacks the in-plane rotational symmetry. In fact, the lowered symmetry leads to increased stability of vortex-antivortex lattices with fourfold symmetry and in-plane spirals, in some instances even in the absence of an external magnetic field. Our results relate different hexagonal and square cell phases to the symmetries of materials used for realizations of skyrmions. This will give clear directions for experimental realizations of hexagonal and square cell phases, and will allow engineering of skyrmions with unusual properties. We also predict striking differences in gyrodynamics induced by spin currents for isolated skyrmions and for crystals where spin currents can be induced by charge carriers or by thermal magnons. As a result, we find that under certain conditions, isolated skyrmionsmorexa0» can move along the current without a side motion which can have implications for realizations of magnetic memories.«xa0less

Theory of spin loss at metallic interfaces

Interfacial spin-flip scattering plays an important role in magnetoelectronic devices. Spin loss at metallic interfaces is usually quantified by matching the magnetoresistance data for multilayers to the Valet-Fert model, while treating each interface as a fictitious bulk layer whose thickness is δ times the spin-diffusion length. By employing the properly generalized circuit theory and the scattering matrix approaches, we derive the relation of the parameter δ to the spin-flip transmission and reflection probabilities at an individual interface. It is found that δ is proportional to the square root of the probability of spin-flip scattering. We calculate the spin-flip scattering probabilities for flat and rough Cu/Pd interfaces using the Landauer-Büttiker method based on the first-principles electronic structure and find δ to be in reasonable agreement with experiment.

Continuous third harmonic generation in a terahertz driven modulated nanowire

We consider the possibility of observing continuous third-harmonic generation using a strongly driven, single-band one-dimensional metal. In the absence of scattering, the quantum efficiency of frequency tripling for such a system can be as high as 93%. Combining the Floquet quasi-energy spectrum with the Keldysh Greens function technique, we derive a semiclassical master equation for a one-dimensional band of strongly and rapidly driven electrons in the presence of weak scattering by phonons. The power absorbed from the driving field is continuously dissipated by phonon modes, leading to a quasi-equilibrium in the electron distribution. We use the Kronig-Penney model with varying effective mass to establish the growth parameters of an InAs/InP nanowire near optimal for third harmonic generation at terahertz frequency range.

Demonstrating entanglement by testing Bell's theorem in Majorana wires

We propose an experiment that would establish the entanglement of Majorana zero modes in semiconductor nanowires by testing the Bell and Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequalities. Our proposal is viable with realistic system parameters, simple “keyboard” gating, and projective measurement. Theoretical models and simulation results indicate entanglement can be demonstrated with moderately accurate gate operations. In addition to providing further evidence for the existence of the Majorana bound states, our proposal could be used as an experimental stepping stone to more complicated braiding experiments.

Magnetic skyrmion bubble motion driven by surface acoustic waves

We study the dynamical control of a magnetic skyrmion bubble by using counter-propagating surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in a ferromagnet. First, we determine the bubble mass and derive the force due to SAWs acting on a magnetic bubble using Thieles method. The force that pushes the bubble is proportional to the strain gradient for the major strain component. We then study the dynamical pinning and motion of magnetic bubbles by SAWs in a nanowire. In a disk geometry, we propose a SAWs-driven skyrmion bubble oscillator with two resonant frequencies.

Distance Verification for Classical and Quantum LDPC Codes

The techniques of distance verification known for general linear codes are first applied to the quantum stabilizer codes. Then, these techniques are considered for classical and quantum (stabilizer) low-density-parity-check (LDPC) codes. New complexity bounds for distance verification with provable performance are derived using the average weight spectra of the ensembles of LDPC codes. These bounds are expressed in terms of the erasure-correcting capacity of the corresponding ensemble. We also present a new irreducible-cluster technique that can be applied to any LDPC code and takes advantage of parity-checks’ sparsity for both the classical and quantum LDPC codes. This technique reduces complexity exponents of all existing deterministic techniques designed for generic stabilizer codes with small relative distances, which also include all known families of the quantum stabilizer LDPC codes.

Magnetization pumping and dynamics in a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya magnet

We formulate a phenomenological description of thin ferromagnetic layers with inversion asymmetry where the single-domain magnetic dynamics experiences magnon current-induced torques and leads to magnon-motive forces. We first construct a phenomenological theory based on irreversible thermodynamics, taking into account the symmetries of the system. Furthermore, we confirm that these effects originate from Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions from the analysis based on the stochastic Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. Our phenomenological results generalize to a general form of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions and to other systems, such as pyrochlore crystals and chiral magnets. Possible applications include spin current generation, magnetization reversal and magnonic cooling.

Numerical Techniques for Finding the Distances of Quantum Codes

We survey the existing techniques for calculating code distances of classical codes and apply these techniques to generic quantum codes. For classical and quantum LDPC codes, we also present a new linked-cluster technique. It reduces complexity exponent of all existing deterministic techniques designed for codes with small relative distances (which include all known families of quantum LDPC codes), and also surpasses the probabilistic technique for sufficiently high code rates.

Skyrmions and Antiskyrmions in Quasi-Two-Dimensional Magnets

A stable skyrmion, representing the smallest realizable magnetic texture, could be an ideal element for ultra-dense magnetic memories. Here, we review recent progress in the field of skyrmionics, which is concerned with studies of tiny whirls of magnetic configurations for novel memory and logic applications, with a particular emphasis on antiskyrmions. Magnetic antiskyrmions represent analogs of skyrmions with opposite topological charge. Just like skyrmions, antiskyrmions can be stabilized by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, as has been demonstrated in a recent experiment. Here, we emphasize differences between skyrmions and antiskyrmions, e.g., in the context of the topological Hall effect, skyrmion Hall effect, as well as nucleation and stability. Recent progress suggests that anitskyrmions can be potentially useful for many device applications. Antiskyrmions offer advantages over skyrmions as they can be driven without the Hall-like motion, offer increased stability due to dipolar interactions, and can be realized above room temperature.