Current-driven transitions in ferromagnetic/insulator/superconductor narrow stripes

We have studied superconducting to normal state current-driven transitions in ferromagnetic Co/Co oxide/superconducting In stripes of widths ranging from 3 to 20 mu m. The narrower stripes can be set up in a high or low critical current state by driving the magnetic domain structure of the thin Co film either in an almost uniform or nonuniform state of magnetization. In the latter the critical current transition is preceded by the development of normal domains, whose dynamics are determined by the Co magnetization pattern. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3236780]