Skyrmion lattice formation and destruction mechanisms probed with SANS

ORAL

Abstract

A magnetic Skyrmions is a local whirl of the spin configuration in a magnetic material. These topologically stabilized quasi-particles have interesting applications in spintronic devices [1] also these structures cannot be continuously created or destroyed.
The formation and destruction time scales of skyrmions are important when it comes to applications. Typically, magnetic dynamics occur on the nanosecond (10-9 s) timeframe, however, the time scale of skyrmion formation may be much longer.
In this work, we have measured the slow dynamics on B20 skyrmion materials MnSi, FeCoSi, and Bloch skyrmions Cu2OSeO3, by using a magnetic field with a frequency of 0.1 Hz and measured with SANS. The formation rate of skyrmions was a surprisingly slow 10's of ms.
Skyrmions are been pushed back and forth in the skyrmion stabilized window. By analyzing the scattering pattern with a 10 ms interval the time constant for the skyrmions destroyed or created was observed between 27-40 ms while keeping the sample environment constant. Skyrmions follow their formation paths despite changing rates in the magnetic field.

1. Desautels, R.D., et al., Physical Review Materials, 2019. 3(10).

*This work was supported by U.S. DOE, Office of Science. Award DE-SC0021344

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Presenters

  • W.L.N.C Liyanage

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

Authors

  • W.L.N.C Liyanage

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

  • Nan Tang

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

  • Lizabeth Quigley

    • University of Tennessee

  • Guo-Jiun Shu

    • National Taiwan University/Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering
    • National Taipei University of Technology

  • Fangchang Chou

    • Center for Condensed Matter Sciences, National Taiwan University
    • National Taiwan University

  • Nicholas Butch

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NCNR, National Institute for Standard and Technology
    • NIST/University of Maryland
    • Center of Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST
    • Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST Center for Neutro Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • University of Maryland

  • Markus Bleuel

    • NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
    • NIST

  • 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

  • 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

  • Dustin Gilbert

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