Chandrasekhar Murapaka et al 2014 Appl. Phys. Express 7 113003
Abstract:
We report on the magnetization dynamics at the bifurcation of a dual-branch magnetic network structure. When a transverse domain wall (DW) is propagated through the network, interaction with an edge defect at the bifurcation leads to the transformation of the DW from transverse to vortex. The topological charge is conserved as the DW moves through the bifurcation, and this conservation of charge is intrinsically linked to a 1/2 topological defect in the system. MFM imaging provides direct observation of the defect displacement during DW transformation, which produces a selective switching in the branch of the network structure.