Skyrmions In Multilayers Research Articles

Tailoring interfacial effect in multilayers with Dzyaloshinskii\u2013Moriya interaction by helium ion irradiation

We show a method to control magnetic interfacial effects in multilayers with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) using helium (He^{+}) ion irradiation. We report results from SQUID magnetometry, ferromagnetic resonance as well as Brillouin light scattering results on multilayers with DMI as a function of irradiation fluence to study the effect of irradiation on the magnetic properties of the multilayers. Our results show clear evidence of the He^{+} irradiation effects on the magnetic properties which is consistent with interface modification due to the effects of the He^{+} irradiation. This external degree of freedom offers promising perspectives to further improve the control of magnetic skyrmions in multilayers, that could push them towards integration in future technologies.

Magnetization reversal signatures of hybrid and pure Néel skyrmions in thin film multilayers

We report a study of magnetization reversals and skyrmion configurations in two systems, Pt/Co/MgO and Ir/Fe/Co/Pt multilayers, where magnetic skyrmions are stabilized by a combination of dipolar and Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interactions (DMIs). The First Order Reversal Curve (FORC) diagrams of low-DMI Pt/Co/MgO and high-DMI Ir/Fe/Co/Pt exhibit stark differences, which are identified by micromagnetic simulations to be indicative of hybrid and pure Néel skyrmions, respectively. Tracking the evolution of FORC features in multilayers with dipolar interactions and DMI, we find that the negative FORC valley, typically accompanying the positive FORC peak near saturation, disappears under both reduced dipolar interactions and enhanced DMI. As these conditions favor the formation of pure Néel skyrmions, we propose that the resultant FORC feature—a single positive FORC peak near saturation—can act as a fingerprint for pure Néel skyrmions in multilayers. Our study thus expands on the utility of FORC analysis as a tool for characterizing spin topology in multilayer thin films.

Off-axis electron holography of Néel-type skyrmions in multilayers of heavy metals and ferromagnets

Magnetic skyrmions are complex swirling spin structures that are of interest for applications in energy-efficient memories and logic technologies. Multilayers of heavy metals and ferromagnets have been shown to host magnetic skyrmions at room temperature. Lorentz transmission electron microscopy is often used to study magnetic domain structures in multilayer samples using mainly Fresnel defocus imaging. Here, off-axis electron holography is used to obtain in-focus electron optical phase images of Néel-type domains and skyrmions in an Ir/Fe/Co/Pt multilayer sample. The preparation of the sample, reconstruction of the holograms and influence of sample tilt angle on the signal-to-noise ratio in the phase images are discussed. A good agreement is found between images of individual skyrmions that are stabilized using an external magnetic field and simulated images based on theoretical models of Néel-type skyrmions.

Deformation of Néel-type skyrmions revealed by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy

Néel-type magnetic skyrmions in multilayers are promising candidates for ultra-low power spintronic devices. To image the Néel-type skyrmions using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (L-TEM), the samples must be tilted. Thus, the external magnetic field consists of both in-plane and out-of-plane components. To date, it is still not well known on the effect of the in-plane magnetic field on the L-TEM images, leading to ambiguities in retrieving the structure of Néel-type skyrmions. Here, Néel-type skyrmions in three [Pt/Co/Ta]20 multilayer samples, with the easy magnetization axis being tuned from the out-of-plane to the in-plane direction by increasing the Co thickness from 1.8 to 2.2 nm, are imaged. When using a smaller defocus value (−2 mm) and a higher magnification (×9100) of L-TEM, a surprising dark-bright-dark-bright double contrasted pattern, instead of the previously reported dark-bright contrasted pattern, is observed. The additional dark-bright contrasted pattern becomes more evident for thicker Co layer samples in which the magnetization axis tilts more toward the in-plane direction. Further analysis, via a combination of magnetic force microscopy experiments, micromagnetic simulations, and micromagnetic analysis to Lorentz TEM simulation, shows that the additional dark-bright features originate from the deformation of the Néel-type skyrmions within an in-plane magnetic field.

Coupling of skyrmions mediated by the RKKY interaction

A discussion on the interaction between skyrmions in a bi-layer system connected by a non-magnetic metal is presented. Using a free charge carrier model, we have shown that, depending on the spacer thickness, the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interaction can induce attractive or repulsive interactions. We have also shown that due to an increase in the RKKY energy when the skyrmions are far from each other, their widths are diminished. Finally, we have obtained analytical solutions to the skyrmion position when the in-plane distance between the skyrmions is small. In this case, an attractive RKKY interaction yields a skyrmion precessional motion. This RKKY-induced coupling could be used as a skyrmion drag mechanism to displace skyrmions in multilayers.

Evolution of topological skyrmions across the spin reorientation transition in Pt/Co/Ta multilayers

Magnetic skyrmions in multilayers are particularly appealing as next generation memory devices due to their topological compact size, the robustness against external perturbations, the capability of electrical driving and detection, and the compatibility with the existing spintronic technologies. To date, N\'eel-type skyrmions at room temperature (RT) have been studied mostly in multilayers with easy-axis magnetic anisotropy. Here, we systematically broadened the evolution of magnetic skyrmions with sub-50-nm size in a series of Pt/Co/Ta multilayers where the magnetic anisotropy is tuned continuously from easy axis to easy plane by increasing the ferromagnetic Co layer thickness. The existence of nontrivial skyrmions is identified via the combination of in situ Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (L-TEM) and Hall transport measurements. A high density of magnetic skyrmions over a wide temperature range is observed in the multilayers with easy-plane anisotropy, which will stimulate further exploration for new materials and accelerate the development of skyrmion-based spintronic devices.

Electrical detection of single magnetic skyrmions in metallic multilayers at room temperature.

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected whirling spin textures that can be stabilized in magnetic materials by an asymmetric exchange interaction between neighbouring spins that imposes a fixed chirality. Their small size, together with the robustness against external perturbations, make magnetic skyrmions potential storage bits in a novel generation of memory and logic devices. To this aim, their contribution to the electrical transport properties of a device must be characterized-however, the existing demonstrations are limited to low temperatures and mainly in magnetic materials with a B20 crystal structure. Here we combine concomitant magnetic force microscopy and Hall resistivity measurements to demonstrate the electrical detection of sub-100 nm skyrmions in a multilayered thin film at room temperature. Furthermore, we detect and analyse the Hall signal of a single skyrmion, which indicates that it arises from the anomalous Hall effect with a negligible contribution from the topological Hall effect.