G. Hrkac

Exchange spring media for perpendicular recording

A novel type of exchange spring media is proposed for magnetic recording systems consisting of a hard/soft bilayer. Finite element micromagnetic simulations show that the reversal modes induced by the external write field are significantly different from the thermally activated switching processes. Thus, the bilayers can be optimized in order to achieve a high thermal stability without increase of coercive field. In grains with identical size and coercivity an optimized bilayer reaches an energy barrier exceeding those of optimized single phase media by more than a factor of two. Additionally the lower angular dependence of coercivity of exchange spring media will improve the signal to noise ratio.

Current-driven vortex oscillations in metallic nanocontacts.

We present experimental evidence of subgigahertz spin-transfer oscillations in metallic nanocontacts that are due to the translational motion of a magnetic vortex. The vortex is shown to execute large-amplitude orbital motion outside the contact region. Good agreement with analytical theory and micromagnetics simulations is found.

The role of local anisotropy profiles at grain boundaries on the coercivity of Nd2Fe14B magnets

We present numerical evidence from atomistic calculations that the coercivity of high-performance NdFeB-sintered-magnets (<20% of the theoretical Stoner–Wolfarth-limit) can be explained by a distorted region of Nd2Fe14B at grain boundaries, which has a reduced local magnetic anisotropy. We show that depending on the boundary composition of fcc-NdO and hcp-Nd2O3, the thickness of this region of reduced anisotropy varies between 0.4 for fcc and 1.6 nm for the hcp phase. For NdO, the distortions are mostly confined in the fcc-NdO-phase but equally distributes in both the hcp-Nd2O3 and Nd2Fe14B. The experimentally measured coercivity of 1.25 T can be understood when taking this distortion and magnetostatic effects into account.

Agility of vortex-based nanocontact spin torque oscillators

We study the agility of current-tunable oscillators based on a magnetic vortex orbiting around a point contact in spin valves. The theory predicts that frequency tuning by currents occurs at constant orbital radius so an exceptional agility is anticipated. To test this, we have inserted an oscillator in a microwave interferometer to apply abrupt current variations while time resolving its emission. Using frequency shift keying, we show that the oscillator can switch between two stabilized frequencies differing by 25% in less than ten periods. With a wide frequency tunability and a good agility, such oscillators possess desirable figures of merit for modulation-based rf applications.

Recording simulations on graded media for area densities of up to 1Tbit∕in.2

We report recording simulations on graded media with area densities of 1Tbit∕in.2. The media are composed of a nucleation layer exchange coupled to a hard magnetic storage layer. The nucleation layer has an anisotropy K(z) that gradually varies in order to adjust the domain wall propagation field to the write field. Bits were written with a bit length of 12nm and a track width of 53nm on graded media with total thickness of 21nm and maximum anisotropy of 1MJ∕m3. The computed values for transition jitter are around 0.65nm, depending on the intergrain exchange.

Time-resolved zero field vortex oscillations in point contacts

We study vortex spin torque oscillators based on magnetic point contacts that operate in zero applied magnetic field. Static and dynamic vortex modes are shown to exist and have distinct electrical signatures. For the oscillatory mode, a spectrally pure slightly asymmetric voltage waveform is observed. It is subject to phase noise as sole fluctuations. The waveforms observed indicate that the vortex orbits outside the point contact region, with a pinned layer magnetization that is static but spatially nonuniform as a result of the current. This nonuniformity results in a reduction in the dc to rf power transduction yield.

Nanowire spintronics for storage class memories and logic

Patterned magnetic nanowires are extremely well suited for data storage and logic devices. They offer non-volatile storage, fast switching times, efficient operation and a bistable magnetic configuration that are convenient for representing digital information. Key to this is the high level of control that is possible over the position and behaviour of domain walls (DWs) in magnetic nanowires. Magnetic random access memory based on the propagation of DWs in nanowires has been released commercially, while more dynamic shift register memory and logic circuits have been demonstrated. Here, we discuss the present standing of this technology as well as reviewing some of the basic DW effects that have been observed and the underlying physics of DW motion. We also discuss the future direction of magnetic nanowire technology to look at possible developments, hurdles to overcome and what nanowire devices may appear in the future, both in classical information technology and beyond into quantum computation and biology.

Optimization of exchange spring perpendicular recording media

Exchange spring media are proposed for magnetic-recording systems consisting of a hard/soft bilayer. By varying the fraction of thickness for the hard and soft layer and by varying their saturation polarizations, the media properties can be optimized in order to achieve high thermal stability without increase of coercive field. In grains with identical size and coercivity, an optimized bilayer reaches an energy barrier exceeding those of optimized single-phase media by more than a factor of two. Thus, exchange spring media allow to reduce the grain diameter by more than a factor of 1//spl radic/2. Additionally, the lower angular dependence of coercivity of exchange spring media improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by a factor of 2.5.

Microwave-assisted three-dimensional multilayer magnetic recording

Layer-selective writing of two layer bit patterned media is demonstrated by performing micromagnetic finite element simulations. Selectivity is achieved by controlling the frequency of an oscillating magnetic field in the gigahertz range, applied in addition to the head field. Generation of the microwave field by means of a wire next to the tip of a single pole head is proposed. The Oersted field from the alternating current induces magnetic oscillations in the pole tip which create a high frequency field that is superimposed to the perpendicular write field. The amplitude of the ac field component is in the order of 0.1 T.

Grain-size dependent demagnetizing factors in permanent magnets

The coercive field of permanent magnets decreases with increasing grain size. The grain size dependence of coercivity is explained by a size dependent demagnetizing factor. In Dy free Nd2Fe14B magnets, the size dependent demagnetizing factor ranges from 0.2 for a grain size of 55 nm to 1.22 for a grain size of 8300 nm. The comparison of experimental data with micromagnetic simulations suggests that the grain size dependence of the coercive field in hard magnets is due to the non-uniform magnetostatic field in polyhedral grains.