Switching superconductivity in superconductor/ferromagnet bilayers by multiple-domain structures

Abstract

We consider the effect of a multiple magnetic domain structure in a superconductor/ferromagnet bilayer, modeled by a ferromagnetic layer with a rotating magnetic moment. The domain walls in this model are of equal size as the domains, and are of Neel type. We study the superconducting critical temperature as a function of the rotation wavelength of the magnetic moment. The critical temperature of the bilayer is found to be always enhanced by the domain structure, and exhibits an interesting reentrant behavior. We suggest that this effect can be used for a new device where superconductivity may be controlled by the domain structure of the magnetic layer.