Noncollinear topological textures in two-dimensional van der Waals materials: From magnetic to polar systems

Abstract

In recent years, noncollinear topological textures have long gained increasing research attentions for their high values of both fundamental researches and potential applications. The recent discovery of intrinsic orders in magnetic and polar two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials provides a new ideal platform for the investigation of noncollinear topological textures. Here, we review the theoretical and experimental progresses on noncollinear topological textures in 2D van der Waals materials in very recent years. During these years, magnetic skyrmions of both Bloch and Néel types have been observed experimentally in a few 2D van der Waals materials and related heterostructures. Concurrently, more theoretic predictions basing on various mechanisms have been reported about different noncollinear topological textures in 2D van der Waals materials, such as skyrmions, bimerons, anti-biskyrmions and skyrmionium, which are still waiting to be confirmed in experiments. Besides, noncollinear topological electric dipole orders have also been predicted in 2D van der Waals materials. Taking advantage of the intrinsic 2D nature and high integratability, the 2D van der Waals materials will play an important role in the investigation on noncollinear topological textures in both magnetic and polar systems.