Numerical investigation of spin-torque using the Heisenberg model

We present numerical calculations of the spin transfer torque resulting in current-induced domain wall motion. Rather than the conventional micromagnetic finite difference or finite element method, we use an atomistic/classical Heisenberg spin model approach, which is well suited to study geometrically confined domain walls. We compute the behaviour of domain walls in a one dimensional chain when currents are injected using adiabatic and non-adiabatic spin torque terms. Our results are compared to analytical calculations and are found to agree very well for small current densities. At larger current densities deviations are observed, which can be attributed to the approximations used in the analytical calculations. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 2007