Spin-lattice dynamics model for magnon-phonon-electron heat transfer on a million atom scale

Abstract

We develop an atomistic spin-lattice dynamics model for simulating energy relaxation in magnetic materials. The model explicitly solves equations of motion for atoms and spins, and includes interaction with electron excitations. We apply the model to simulate the dynamics of propagation and attenuation of a compressive elastic wave in iron. We find that interaction between the lattice, spin and electron degrees of freedom does not have an appreciable effect on the velocity of the wave. At the same time, dissipative spin-lattice-electron interactions dominate the dynamics of attenuation of the wave in the material.