Heat current-driven topological spin texture transformations and helical q-vector switching

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Spintronics

Background:

• Magnetic skyrmions have enabled new spintronics research and memory device development.
• Antiskyrmions, the antiparticles of skyrmions, have been discovered but lack control via thermal currents.
• Developing methods for controlling antiskyrmions is crucial for advancing spintronic technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the control of magnetic skyrmions and antiskyrmions using thermal currents.
• To explore the transformation dynamics between skyrmions, antiskyrmions, and non-topological bubbles.
• To determine the stability of antiskyrmions under varying magnetic and thermal conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized thermal current to manipulate magnetic states in the (Fe0.63Ni0.3Pd0.07)3P ferromagnet at room temperature.
• Applied temperature gradients and magnetic fields to induce transformations between skyrmions, antiskyrmions, and bubbles.
• Observed the switching of helical states in the antiskyrmion-hosting material.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the transformation of antiskyrmions to bubbles and then to skyrmions using a temperature gradient under a magnetic field.
• Observed a unidirectional transformation from skyrmions to antiskyrmions at zero magnetic field.
• Showcased the robust metastability of antiskyrmions at zero field, surpassing skyrmions in stability.

Conclusions:

• Thermal current can effectively drive transformations between skyrmions, antiskyrmions, and bubbles.
• Antiskyrmions exhibit enhanced metastability at zero field compared to skyrmions.
• This research opens new avenues for controlling magnetic states in spintronic memory devices.