Skyrmion Formation in Nanodisks Using Magnetic Force Microscopy Tip

Area of Science:

• Condensed matter physics
• Materials science

Background:

• Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected spin textures with potential applications in data storage and spintronics.
• Controlling skyrmion formation in magnetic nanostructures is crucial for their practical implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically and experimentally demonstrate a reliable method for inducing skyrmion formation in ultrathin nanodisks.
• To investigate the role of a local magnetic field from a magnetic force microscopy tip in skyrmion generation.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations using micromagnetic modeling to analyze magnetization dynamics.
• Experimental validation using magnetic force microscopy to probe nanodisk magnetization states.

Main Results:

• The local magnetic field from the MFM tip significantly influences nanodisk magnetization, leading to skyrmion formation.
• The transition from labyrinth domain states to skyrmions involves the formation of a horseshoe magnetic domain.
• Skyrmion formation using the magnetic probe is a repeatable and reliable process.

Conclusions:

• A simple and effective method for generating skyrmions in ultrathin nanodisks has been established.
• The findings pave the way for controlled skyrmion manipulation in magnetic nanostructures.