Interplay between quantum anomalous Hall effect and magnetic skyrmions

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Topological Materials Science
• Quantum Phenomena

Background:

• The quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) and magnetic skyrmions (SK) are key topological states studied in momentum (K) and real (R) spaces, respectively.
• Despite significant interest, the interplay and combined phenomena between QAHE and SK remain underexplored.
• Understanding these interactions is crucial for advancing topological physics and materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential interplay between the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) and magnetic skyrmions (SK).
• To propose and characterize a novel topological state arising from this interplay, termed the RK-joint topological skyrmion (RK-SK).
• To explore the potential for external field-tunable chiral boundary states (CBSs) within the RK-SK for advanced skyrmion manipulation and topological phase transitions.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical proposal of the RK-joint topological skyrmion (RK-SK) state.
• Characterization of the RK-SK by its unique structure: a magnetic skyrmion surrounded by non-trivial chiral boundary states (CBSs).
• Analysis of the role of external fields in tuning the CBSs and inducing topological phase transitions between momentum and real spaces.

Main Results:

• The study proposes the existence of an RK-joint topological skyrmion (RK-SK), a novel state resulting from the interplay of QAHE and SK.
• The RK-SK is characterized by magnetic skyrmions enveloped by non-trivial chiral boundary states (CBSs).
• External fields are shown to enable tunability of these CBSs, offering new degrees of freedom for skyrmion manipulation and facilitating topological phase transitions.

Conclusions:

• The interplay between QAHE and SK can lead to the formation of RK-joint topological skyrmions (RK-SKs).
• The RK-SK state offers novel possibilities for skyrmion manipulation through external field-tunable chiral boundary states.
• This research opens new avenues for exploring unconventional quantum states and topological phase transitions across different physical spaces.