Eur. Phys. J. B 76, 251-259 (2010)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2010-00178-2

Spin torque on magnetic domain walls exerted by supercurrents

¹ CFIF, Instituto Superior Técnico, TU Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
² Departamento de Física, Universidade de Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal

Corresponding author: ^a pdss@cfif.ist.utl.pt

Received: 5 February 2010
Revised: 3 May 2010
Published online: 10 June 2010

Abstract

We calculate the spin density, spin currents and spin torque due to a spin polarized current on a magnetic domain wall juxtaposed to or inserted in a conventional superconductor. The superconductor is part of a heterostructure of the type NSN or FSF. In general, the spin torque exerted on the domain wall is weaker with respect to a normal metal. However, there are regimes where the torque is enhanced with respect to the normal metal. In these regimes the motion of the domain wall is therefore more efficient. A notable case is the passing of an unpolarized current which leads to a finite torque in the case of the superconductor.