Controlling long-range skyrmion lattices using field and temperature in Fe/Gd multilayers

ORAL

Abstract

To facilitate the realization of skyrmion-based devices, there is a need to design and develop materials that can host skyrmions under ambient conditions. We have fabricated thin-films of amorphous Fe/Gd multilayers that support skyrmions and skyrmion lattices at room temperature and zero applied magnetic field. By varying the film thickness and alloy composition, we can alter the balance of the dipole interactions relative to the exchange and anisotropy. Using small angle neutron scattering (SANS), we demonstrate a skyrmion lattice exists over a broad field and temperature range (including positive/negative/zero magnetic field and temperatures between 10K and 325 K, in a single film). By monitoring the temperature- and field-dependent scattering vector changes, we observe two skyrmion lattice spacing effects: increasing the field to positive saturation results in a decrease in Q suggesting an increase in the skyrmion lattice, while decreasing the field towards negative saturation results in an in Q before skyrmion lattice destabilizes.

*Work at UCSD supported by DOE award No. DE-SC0003678. Work at NIWC Pacific was supported by ONR ILIR. Neutron work was done at HFIR at ORNL supported by DOE Basic Energy Science, and NCNR at NIST supported by DOC.

–

Presenters

  • Lisa DeBeer-Schmitt

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Neutron Scattering Directorate, Oak Ridge Natrional Laboratory
    • Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
    • Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Oak Ridge National Lab

Authors

  • Lisa DeBeer-Schmitt

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Neutron Scattering Directorate, Oak Ridge Natrional Laboratory
    • Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
    • Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Oak Ridge National Lab

  • Ryan Desautels

    • Seagate Technology
    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Nan Tang

    • University of Tennessee
    • Material Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Sergio A Montoya

    • Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific

  • W.L.N.C Liyanage

    • University of Tennessee
    • Material Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Sheena Patel

    • CMRR, University of California, San Diego

  • Michael Fitzsimmons

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Eric Fullerton

    • University of California, San Diego
    • Center for Memory and Recording Research, University of California, San Diego
    • CMRR, University of California, San Diego

  • Julie Borchers

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST
    • Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NCNR, National Institute of Standards and Technology

  • Dustin Gilbert

    • University of Tennessee
    • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee
    • Material Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville