Towards 3-dimensional magnetic data storage R. P. Cowburn1

Topological solitons within multilayer stacks of magnetic thin films have recently been proposed as a candidate for 3-dimensional magnetic data storage. Data bits are represented by the presence or absence of solitons in the antiferromagnetic order parameter; an applied magnetic field or electrical current can then propagate the solitons from one layer to the next, allowing data to be shifted into the volume of the multilayer. Previously, chiral solitons have been discussed as the ideal data carrier since their chiral nature allows them to be shifted synchronously by a rotating magnetic field. In this talk I describe an achiral soliton which can also exist in such nanostructured systems and which can be propagated from layer to layer by a linear oscillating magnetic field. I also show latest experimental progress towards demonstrating soliton motion in magnetic multilayers.

1 Cambridge University, Cavendish Laboratory, J J Thomson Ave, Cambridge, CB3 OHE, email: rpc12@cam.ac.uk tel.: +44 (0)1223 337436

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