Magneto-optical and micromagnetic simulation study of the current-driven domain wall motion in ferromagnetic (Ga,Mn) As

We have studied current-driven domain wall motion in modified Ga0.95Mn0.05 As Hall bar structures with perpendicular anisotropy by using spatially resolved polar magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy and micromagnetic simulation. Regardless of the initial magnetic configuration, the domain wall propagates in the opposite direction to the current with critical current of 1-2 x 10(5) A/cm(2). Considering the spin-transfer torque term as well as various effective magnetic field terms, the micromagnetic simulation results are consistent with the experimental results. Our simulated and experimental results suggest that the spin-torque rather than Oersted field is the reason for current-driven domain wall motion in this material. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.