Enhanced skyrmion metastability under applied strain in FeGe

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions offer a rich variety of exotic behaviors that have fascinated researchers in recent years. Here, the authors study the effects of mechanical strain on skyrmions in FeGe with x-ray magnetic holographic imaging and small angle x-ray scattering, and demonstrate enhancement of the metastable skyrmion energy barriers. Real-space imaging of the magnetization allows the authors to quantify the impact of strain on the magnetic spin textures, and discuss the effects of helical reorientations on skyrmion stability and metastability.