Magnetic skyrmion manipulation in CrTe2/WTe2 2D van der Waals heterostructure

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions in two-dimensional van der Waals materials provide an ideal platform to push skyrmion technology to the ultimate atomically thin limit. In this work, we theoretically demonstrate the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction and the formation of a Néel-type skyrmion lattice at the CrTe2/WTe2 bilayer van der Waals heterostructure. Our calculations suggest a field-controlled Néel-type skyrmion lattice—a ferromagnet transition cycle. In addition, a spin-torque induced by spin-polarized current injection was simulated in order to study the motion of a skyrmion on a racetrack, where an increase in the skyrmion Hall angle is observed at high temperatures. Consequently, this study suggests that generation and annihilation of skyrmions can be achieved with temperature or field control and also manipulate the velocity and the direction of the Néel-type skyrmions through ultra-low current densities and temperature, thus shedding light on the general picture of magnetic skyrmion control and design of two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures.