Micromagnetic Simulations Reveal Size-Dependent Curie Temperature in Ferromagnetic Nanowires and Nanolayers

Core Concepts

The Curie temperature of ferromagnetic nanowires and nanolayers varies with their smallest dimension according to a power-law scaling, with a critical exponent close to 2.

Abstract

The authors solve the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation in the finite-temperature regime to study the size dependence of the Curie temperature in ferromagnetic nanowires and nanolayers. They use a temperature scaling approach to account for the mismatch between the computational cell size and the lattice constant. The key highlights and insights are: The computed Curie temperatures are in line with experimental values for cobalt, iron, and nickel, thanks to the temperature scaling approach. For finite-sized objects, the Curie temperature varies with the smallest size d according to a power-law of the type: (ξ0/d)^λ, where ξ0 is the correlation length at zero temperature and λ is the critical exponent. The computed correlation length ξ0 is in the nanometer range, consistent with other simulations and experiments. The critical exponent λ is close to 2 for all materials and geometries, slightly larger than the values observed experimentally but in agreement with atomistic mean-field models. Size effects are more pronounced for lower-dimensional structures, with greater variability in the magnetization curve observed for nanowires compared to nanolayers. The time-dependent approach allows investigating not only the equilibrium properties, but also the nonequilibrium dynamics near the Curie temperature, where large statistical fluctuations are observed.

Stats

The Curie temperatures (in Kelvin) obtained from the numerical simulations for nanowires and nanolayers of different sizes and materials are listed in Table 3.

Quotes

"The computed critical exponent is close to λ = 2 for all considered materials and geometries. This is the expected result for a mean-field approach, but slightly larger than the values observed experimentally." "Size effects then appear to be stronger for lower-dimensional structures."

Key Insights Distilled From

Micromagnetic simulations of the size dependence of the Curie temperature in ferromagnetic nanowires and nanolayers

by Clém... at arxiv.org 04-26-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2401.05722.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How do the nonequilibrium dynamics and transient effects near the Curie temperature influence the magnetic properties of these nanostructures

The nonequilibrium dynamics and transient effects near the Curie temperature play a crucial role in influencing the magnetic properties of nanostructures. As the system approaches the Curie temperature, thermal fluctuations become more pronounced, leading to a decrease in the total magnetization. This transition from a ferromagnetic to a paramagnetic state is characterized by a reduction in the alignment of magnetic moments within the material. The fluctuating thermal field introduces randomness into the system, causing the magnetic moments to orient in a less coordinated manner. Near the Curie temperature, the magnetic properties exhibit critical behavior, with the system undergoing a phase transition. The fluctuations in the magnetic field become more significant, affecting the stability of the ferromagnetic order. The time-dependent nature of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation allows for the study of these transient effects, capturing the dynamics of the magnetization as it evolves towards equilibrium. By analyzing the nonequilibrium dynamics, researchers can gain insights into the behavior of magnetic nanostructures under varying temperature conditions and better understand the critical phenomena associated with the Curie temperature.

What are the implications of the observed critical exponent close to 2 in terms of the underlying magnetic interactions and the validity of the mean-field approach

The observed critical exponent close to 2 has significant implications for the underlying magnetic interactions and the validity of the mean-field approach. In the context of micromagnetic simulations of nanostructures, a critical exponent of approximately 2 suggests that the magnetic properties are governed by mean-field behavior. This implies that the interactions between magnetic moments in the system can be effectively described using a mean-field approximation, where each moment interacts with an average effective field rather than with individual neighboring moments. The critical exponent of 2 is consistent with the expected behavior for a mean-field approach, indicating that the magnetic properties of the nanostructures are predominantly influenced by collective interactions rather than local effects. This observation reinforces the applicability of the mean-field model in describing the magnetic behavior of the nanostructures studied in the simulations. The close agreement between the simulated critical exponent and the theoretical value of 2 further validates the use of micromagnetic models in predicting the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic materials at the nanoscale.

Could the size-dependent Curie temperature be exploited for the design of novel magnetic devices or sensors operating near the phase transition

The size-dependent Curie temperature observed in the simulations could have significant implications for the design of novel magnetic devices and sensors operating near the phase transition. By understanding how the Curie temperature varies with the size of the nanostructures, researchers can tailor the magnetic properties of these materials to suit specific applications. One potential application of the size-dependent Curie temperature is in the development of temperature-sensitive magnetic sensors. By engineering nanostructures with specific dimensions, it may be possible to create sensors that exhibit a sharp change in magnetic properties at a precise temperature, such as the Curie temperature. This could enable the design of highly sensitive sensors for detecting temperature variations in various environments. Furthermore, the ability to control the Curie temperature through size manipulation could also be leveraged in the design of magnetic storage devices. By optimizing the size of the nanostructures, it may be possible to enhance the storage capacity and efficiency of magnetic storage systems. Additionally, the size-dependent Curie temperature could be utilized in the development of novel magnetic materials with tunable properties for a wide range of applications in electronics, data storage, and sensing technologies.