Creating zero-field skyrmions in exchange-biased multilayers through X-ray illumination

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Skyrmions are topologically stable magnetic textures with potential for high-density, energy-efficient data storage.
• Precise creation of individual nanoscale skyrmions is crucial for understanding their physics and developing applications.
• Existing methods for skyrmion manipulation often require specific field conditions or lack nanoscale precision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the creation of individual skyrmions at zero magnetic field using soft X-rays.
• To investigate the feasibility of precise, localized skyrmion generation and patterning.
• To explore X-ray-induced modification of magnetic order for controlled skyrmion dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an exchange-biased magnetic multilayer system.
• Employed focused soft X-ray irradiation to induce local changes in magnetic order.
• Investigated the creation of single skyrmions and skyrmion lattices using X-ray patterning.

Main Results:

• Successfully created individual 100-nm skyrmions at zero magnetic field using a sub-50-nm focused X-ray spot.
• Demonstrated X-ray-induced modification of antiferromagnetic order and exchange bias as the driving mechanism.
• Patterned artificial skyrmion lattices with various arrangements via X-ray exposure.

Conclusions:

• Soft X-rays enable accurate, localized control of single skyrmion creation at the sub-100 nm scale.
• X-ray irradiation provides a versatile tool for manipulating magnetic orders and skyrmion formation.
• This technique holds significant promise for advancing nanoscale magnetic data storage technologies.