Topological analysis and experimental control of transformations of domain walls in magnetic cylindrical nanowires

Abstract

Topology is a powerful tool for categorizing magnetization textures by defining a topological index in both two-dimensional (2D) systems, such as thin films or curved surfaces, and in 3D bulk systems. In the emerging field of 3D nanomagnetism, both volume and surface topological numbers must be considered, requiring the identification of a proper global topological invariant to support categorization. Here we consider domain walls in cylindrical nanowires as an excellent playground for 3D nanomagnetic systems, excited by a charge current, that generates an Œrsted field. We first provide experimental evidence of previously unreported domain-wall transformations of topology occurring at the nanosecond timescale. We investigate these transformations with micromagnetic simulations, tracking both bulk and surface topological signatures. We demonstrate a topological invariant combining both signatures, while the topological charge varies from bulk to surface during the dynamics. The experimental change of topology is reproduced when the pulse duration matches the timescale of the internal transformations of the wall, and the current is switched off before the transformation is complete. We expect that the topological categorization and dynamical exploitation apply to any 3D nanomagnetic system.