Physical Review B · 2010 · 16 citations · 16 references
Natural SciencesMaterials SciencePhysicsCondensed Matter PhysicsElectromagnetismMagnetic MaterialsDomain WallsFerromagnetismMagnetic DomainsMagnetic Properties Of SolidsSuperconducting MaterialsVortex DynamicsDomain StructuresDomain Wall DynamicsDomain Wall PinningDomain Wall StructureMagnetic Domain StructureMagnetic Domain WallsMagneto-optical EffectsVortex Pinning
We investigate the magnetic structure in a superconducting Nb and ferromagnetic garnet hybrid film. Direct magneto-optical observations reveal a strong interaction between the superconducting vortices in Nb and the magnetic domains in the garnet, resulting in a unique coupled domain structure. The cooperative motion of vortices and domain walls results in an enhanced pinning and a modified electromagnetic response of the hybrid similar to that in type I superconductors. Application of ac field, routinely used for equilibration of domains, leads to their significant contraction. Our calculations explain this effect by a domain shrinkage instability induced by the vortex annihilation around oscillating domain walls.
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