Generation and manipulation of domain walls using a thermal gradient in a ferrimagnetic TbCo wire

We demonstrate the ability to create, control the propagation, and annihilate domain walls in 25-nm thick Tb22Co78 ferrimagnetic alloy wires using a temperature gradient under a constant applied field. The temperature gradient is generated by passing a current through the wire, and the domain wall properties are imaged using Kerr microscopy. The manipulation of the domain wall is made possible by creating a temperature gradient such that the temperature at one end of the wire is above the compensation temperature for the TbCo alloy, while the other end remains below the compensation temperature. By tuning the intensity of the applied magnetic field and the current flowing inside the wire, it is possible to carefully control the domain wall position that can then be stabilized under zero applied field and current.