Transient dynamics of pinning of domain wall

We study the evolution of an elastic string. serving as model for a domain,wall. into the pinned state at driving forces slightly below the depinning threshold force F-C. We quantify the temporal evolution of the string by an at activity function. A(t) representing the fraction of active nodes at time t and find three distinct dynamic regimes. There is an initial stage of fast decal of the activiy in the second. intermediate. regime. an exponential decay of activity is observed: and. eventually, the fast collapse of the string towards its final pinned state results in decay in the activity with A(t) similar to (t(p) - t)(phi). here t(p) is the pinning time in the finite system involved. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.