Magnetic skyrmions for future potential memory and logic applications: Alternative information carriers

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions are swirling topological configurations, which are mostly induced by chiral interactions between atomic spins in non-centrosymmetric magnetic bulks or in thin films with broken inversion symmetry. They hold promise as information carriers in future ultra-dense, low-power memory and logic devices owing to the nanocale size and extremely low spin-polarized currents needed to move them. To date, an intense research effort has led to the identification, creation/annihilation, motion and manipulation of skyrmions at room temperature. Meanwhile, a rich variety of skyrmion-based device concepts and prototypes have been proposed, indicating the considerable potential of magnetic skyrmions in future electronic applications. However, current studies mainly focus on physical or principle investigations, whereas the electrical design methodology, implementation and evaluations are still lacking. In this paper, we will bring the readers in the “design, automation and test (DAT) society” the current status and outlook of skyrmions in relation to future potential racetrack memory and neuromorphic computing applications. Most importantly, we also want to evoke the effort from the DAT society to address the challenges, e.g., all-electrical manipulation of skyrmions at room temperature, for the research and development of practical skyrmion-based electronics.