Current-driven vortex formation in a magnetic multilayer ring

Current-driven domain wall (DW) motion has been studied in the NiFe layer of a Co/Cu/NiFe thin film ring using giant-magnetoresistance measurements in a four-point contact geometry. The NiFe layer is initially in an onion state configuration with two 180 degrees DWs. An electric current drives the walls around the ring so that they annihilate and the NiFe layer forms a DW-free vortex state. The direction of motion of the two DWs is determined by the current polarity, enabling the vortex chirality to be selected.