Co-existence of Bloch and Neel walls in a collinear antiferromagnet

Abstract

We resolve the domain-wall structure of the model antiferromagnet ${\text{Cr}}_2{\text{O}}_3$ using nanoscale scanning diamond magnetometry and second-harmonic-generation microscopy. We find that the 180${}^{\circ }$ domain walls are predominantly Bloch-like, and can co-exist with Néel walls in crystals with significant in-plane anisotropy. In the latter case, Néel walls that run perpendicular to a magnetic easy axis acquire a well-defined chirality. We further report quantitative measurement of the domain-wall width and surface magnetization. Our results provide fundamental input and an experimental methodology for the understanding of domain walls in pure, intrinsic antiferromagnets, which is relevant to achieve electrical control of domain-wall motion in antiferromagnetic compounds.

arXiv comment9 pages, 5 figures. Includes 11 pages of supplemental material

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• Imaging Local Effects of Voltage and Boron Doping on Spin Reversal in Antiferromagnetic Magnetoelectric Cr2O3 Thin Films and Devices
• Boundary conditions for the Néel order parameter in a chiral antiferromagnetic slab
• Identifiying the domain wall spin structure in current-induced switching of antiferromagnetic NiO/Pt
• High-speed antiferromagnetic domain walls driven by coherent spin waves
• Systematic characterization of nanoscale $h$-BN quantum sensor spots created by helium-ion microscopy
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