published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

[by] Charles Kittel. / "Reprinted from the Physical review, vol. 70, nos. 11 and 12, 965-971, Dec. 1 and 15, 1946." / Includes bibliographical references.

This dissertation explores magnetic-field- and electric-current-driven domain-wall motion in thin-film-based magnetic microstructures. Conventional thin-film growth and microstructure fabrication techniques including electron-beam lithography and focused ion beam milling are used to fabricate nanometer-scale one-dimensional and two-dimensional magnetic structures that support magnetic domains (regions of different magnetization orientation separated by domain walls). A high-spatial resolution, hightemporal resolution technique for measuring the field- or current- driven dynamics of the domain walls, based on the magneto-optic Kerr effect, is developed and used to study the wall dynamics. Field-driven domain-wall motion at slow magnetic field sweep rates is dominated by Barkhausen jumps, the discontinuous random movement of domain-wall displacements. The experiments described represent one of the first successful attempts to extend the study of Barkhausen effects into the two-dimensional region. The experiments successfully probe velocity distributions, jump amplitude distributions, and attempt to address issues that pertain to the universal exponents that describe the scaling behavior of Barkhausen jump distribution function including effects of dimensionality and sweep-rate effects on the exponents. A novel dual-beam magneto-optical experiment is performed on thin-film microstructure that probes negative Barkhausen jumps (jumps that oppose the direction favored by Zeeman energy driving the magnetic reversal). A new mechanism for negative Barkhausen jumps is proposed that accounts for the observed effects. Domain-wall motion driven by (spin-polarized) electric current is studied in nanoscale thin-film based wires. The experiments address issues pertaining to the basic mechanisms responsible for current-driven domain-wall motion, which are believed to be the adiabatic spin-torque mechanism and non-adiabatic mechanisms. The experiments described are the first true time-resolved measurements of current-driven displacements, and the results reveal new information about the stochastic properties of current-driven domain wall displacements. The results also provide information on domain-wall velocities and spin-flip efficiencies that address issues related to spin-torque mechanisms.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2005. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-190).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-128). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Florida, 1980. / Description based on print version record. Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-146).

M.Ing. (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) / This treatise presents an investigation into the application of multivariable frequency domain techniques in the modelling and control of a helicopter aircraft in forward flight. The presentation is structured in the following sectioned format: I Hypotheses are stated which deal with the use of linear, multivariable, frequency domain theory in the modelling and control of helicopter aircraft. II The stated hypotheses are investigated by the application of relevant theories and techniques to a reference case plant - a single rotor helicopter in forward flight. III Conclusions drawn from the results are used to assess the validity of the hypotheses. The subject matter of the presentation may be summarized as follows: The hypotheses are initially placed in perspective by a discussion of the incentives for their formulation. In essence, the hypotheses state that helicopter dynamics, in a multivariable systems characterization, can be modelled and an appropriate flight control system designed by the use of linear frequency domain theory. The plant in reference to which the hypotheses are investigated is a single rotor utility helicopter - the Aerospatiale Alouette III. A single flight condition - a typical cruising condition - is considered. A comprehensive, nonlinear digital computer simulation of the aircraft is used as a substitute for the actual plant in the execution of the modelling and control design processes. The plant is modelled in terms of a linear model structure, in the form of the frequency response function, by linearization of its highly nonlinear dynamics about an operating point (datum flight condition). The frequency response function model parameters are identified by power spectral density analysis procedures. This method, based on random signal excitation of the plant, provides a valuable quantitative measure of the accuracy of the linearization performed in the identification. The measure, the coherence function, is used as a criterion for the robustness required of a control system of which the design is based on a linear model of a nonlinear plant.

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