N. Garcia et al., Shift of geometrically localized magnetic walls in thin films under a magnetic field - art. no. 184412, PHYS REV B, 6418(18), 2001, pp. 4412
We present a theory for the action of magnetic field on magnetic domain wal
ls at constrictions in thin films and show that the wall shifts from the ce
nter of the constriction to a controlled distance. where a decrease of the
magnetostatic energy compensates for an increase of the surface wall energy
. We also find that the walls are fixed by local geometric inhomogeneities
and that growth steps on the surface of thin films cause strong coercitive
fields. These studies have important consequences in spintronic application
s. in particular, for development of high-speed magnetic switches.