Creating and Deleting a Single Dipolar Skyrmion by Surface Spin Twists

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected spin textures with potential for data storage.
• Controlling individual skyrmions deterministically is crucial for developing skyrmionic devices.
• Existing methods often rely on complex structures or external fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate deterministic writing and deleting operations on single dipolar skyrmions.
• To investigate current-induced skyrmion dynamics in simple nanostructured cuboids.
• To explore the potential of this method for reliable single-bit operations in memory applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing in-plane currents to manipulate single skyrmions confined in nanostructured cuboids.
• Investigating the role of spin-transfer torque and magnetic dipole-dipole interactions.
• Performing 3D micromagnetic simulations to validate experimental findings.

Main Results:

• Achieved highly reversible writing and deleting of skyrmions without artificial defects.
• Identified current-induced creation via spin-transfer torque on surface spin twists.
• Determined current-induced deletion mechanisms involving magnetic hysteresis and Joule heating.

Conclusions:

• Deterministic single skyrmion operations are achievable in simple cuboids using in-plane currents.
• The proposed method offers a viable pathway for reliable single-bit operations in skyrmionic devices.
• This research paves the way for advanced random-access memory technologies.