Predicted Multiple Walker Breakdowns for Current-Driven Domain-Wall Motion in Antiferromagnets

Abstract

We theoretically discover possible emergence of reentrant Walker breakdowns for current-driven domain walls in layered antiferromagnets in striking contrast to the unique Walker breakdown in ferromagnets. We reveal that the Lorentz contraction of domain-wall width in antiferromagnets gives rise to nonlinear current-dependence of the wall velocity and the predicted multiple Walker breakdowns. The dominant efficiency of the current-induced staggered spin-orbit torque over the spin-transfer torque to drive the domain-wall motion is also demonstrated. These findings are expected to be observed in synthetic antiferromagnets experimentally and provide an important contribution to the growing research field of antiferromagnetic spintronics.