Characteristics of domain wall pinning and depinning in a three-terminal magnetic Y-junction

Abstract

The characteristics of domain wall (DW) pinning and propagation in a three-terminal magnetic Y-junction were investigated, where the junction consisted of two input and one output wires. The output switching depends strongly on the junction angle (a). Junctions with high angles of alpha > 9.5 degrees lead to DW pinning at the junction, whereas junctions with low angles of alpha < 9.5 degrees have no DW pinning effect. At the critical angle of alpha = 9.5 degrees, the Y-junction showed a multimode DW propagation, which was ascribed to a moderate transverse field effect.