Generalized analysis of thermally activated domain-wall motion in Co/Pt multilayers

• Thermally activated domain-wall motion is investigated in Pt(Co/Pt)3 multilayers.
• The activation energy for wall motion is directly extracted, revealing distinct dynamic regimes.
• A generalized Arrhenius-like equation governing thermally activated motion is derived.
• Conventional spin-transfer torques do not drive domain walls in ultrathin Co/Pt multilayers.

Thermally activated domain-wall (DW) motion driven by magnetic field and electric current is investigated experimentally in out-of-plane magnetized Pt(Co/Pt)3 multilayers. We directly extract the thermal activation energy barrier for DW motion and observe the dynamic regimes of creep, depinning, and viscous flow. Further analysis reveals that the activation energy must be corrected with a factor dependent on the Curie temperature, and we derive a generalized Arrhenius-like equation governing thermally activated motion. By using this generalized equation, we quantify the efficiency of current-induced spin torque in assisting DW motion. Current produces no effect aside from Joule heating in the multilayer with 7-Å thick Co layers, whereas it generates a finite spin torque on DWs in the multilayer with atomically thin 3-Å Co layers. These findings suggest that conventional spin-transfer torques from in-plane spin-polarized current do not drive DWs in ultrathin Co/Pt multilayers.