Current-induced phase transition in ballistic Ni nanocontacts

Local phase transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic state in the region of the ballistic Ni nanocontacts (NCs) has been experimentally observed. We found that contact size reduction leads to an increase in the bias voltage at which the local phase transition occurs. Presented theoretical interpretation of this phenomena takes into the account the specificity of the local heating of the ballistic NC and describes the electron’s energy relaxation dependences on the applied voltage. The experimental data are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the theory proposed.