Formation of zero-field skyrmion arrays in asymmetric superlattices
Abstract
We demonstrate the formation of metastable Néel-type skyrmion arrays in Pt/Co/Ni/Ir multi-layers at zero-field following the ex situ application of an in-plane magnetic field using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. The resultant skyrmion texture is found to depend on both the strength and misorientation of the applied field as well as the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction. To demonstrate the importance of the applied field angle, we leverage bend contours in the specimens, which coincide with transition regions between skyrmion and labyrinth patterns. The subsequent application of a perpendicular magnetic field near these regions reveals the unusual situation where skyrmions with opposite magnetic polarities are stabilized in close proximity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Sep 14, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1063/5.0024265
Entities
People
- Anish Rai
- Arjun Sapkota
- Ashok Pokhrel
- Claudia Mewes
- Marc Degraef
- Maxwell P Li
- Tim Mewes
- Vincent Sokalski
Organizations
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- University of Alabama