Asymmetric Hysteresis for Probing Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) is key for domain-wall dynamics and magnetic skyrmion formation.
• Quantifying interfacial DMI remains experimentally challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a quasi-static, straightforward measurement tool for interfacial DMI.
• To enable faster exploration of new DMI systems for nanotechnology.

Main Methods:

• Utilized laterally asymmetric triangular-shaped microstructures.
• Applied an in-plane magnetic field.
• Employed a droplet model for domain nucleation.
• Systematically varied triangular object shapes.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a unique and significant shift in magnetic hysteresis due to interfacial DMI and in-plane magnetic field.
• Obtained robust values for the strength and sign of interfacial DMI.
• Developed a quantitative method for DMI measurement.

Conclusions:

• The presented method offers immediate and quantitative access to interfacial DMI.
• This technique facilitates rapid screening of materials for DMI applications.
• Enables advancements in magnetic skyrmion-based nanotechnology.