Ratchet propagation of a magnetic domain wall in a single magnetic wire with quantum interference

Abstract

Quantum interference incorporating spatially asymmetric potential profiles is realized experimentally to manipulate a magnetic domain wall (DW) into a single multilayered wire whose spacer has a thickness gradient for generating asymmetrical interlayer exchange coupling from side to side. We demonstrate experimentally how to guide a DW in a micron-scale ferromagnetic wire without reflection symmetry of the interlayer exchange coupling. This is the ratcheting of a DW in a form of ratchet potential using quantum interference. The experimental results can be described well by numerical simulations considering spatially asymmetric potential profiles due to quantum interference.