Skyrmions à la carte (Conference Presentation)

Abstract

Due to their unique topological and dynamic properties skyrmions in magnetic materials offer attractive perspectives for future spintronic applications [1]. Recently, it has been discovered that magnetic skyrmions of Neel-type symmetry cannot only occur in ultra-thin transition metal films at surfaces [2,3] but also in asymmetric multilayers due to strong Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DMI) interactions [4]. We carry out first-principles calculations in order to study the stabilization mechanism of skyrmions in multilayers. Here, we predict the emergence of skyrmions in a new class of multilayers based on [4d/Fe2/5d]n, i.e. structures composed of Fe biatomic layers sandwiched between 4d- and 5d-transition-metal layers [5]. In these composite structures, the exchange and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions which control skyrmion formation can be tuned separately by the two interfaces. This allows engineering skyrmions as shown by density functional theory, Monte Carlo and spin dynamics simulations. [1] A. Fert, et al., Nature Nano. 8, 152 (2013). [2] N. Romming, et al., Science 341, 636 (2013). [3] B. Dupe, et al., Nature Comm. 5, 4030 (2014). [4] C. Moreau-Luchaire, et al., Nature Nano. (2016) doi: 10.1038/nnano.2015. [5] B. Dupe, et al., submitted (arXiv :1503.08098).