Phenomenology of current-induced dynamics in antiferromagnets

Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Mar 11;106(10):107206. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.107206. Epub 2011 Mar 10.

Abstract

We derive a phenomenological theory of current-induced staggered magnetization dynamics in antiferromagnets. The theory captures the reactive and dissipative current-induced torques and the conventional effects of magnetic fields and damping. A Walker ansatz describes the dc current-induced domain-wall motion when there is no dissipation. If magnetic damping and dissipative torques are included, the Walker ansatz remains robust when the domain wall moves slowly. As in ferromagnets, the domain-wall velocity is proportional to the ratio between the dissipative torque and the magnetization damping. In addition, a current-driven antiferromagnetic domain wall acquires a net magnetic moment.