Skyrmions in Magnetic Multilayers: Chirality, Electrical Detection and Current-induced Motion

Reyren, N. et al. (2017) Skyrmions in Magnetic Multilayers: Chirality, Electrical Detection and Current-induced Motion. In: Spintronics X, San Diego, CA, USA, 05-10 Aug 2017, p. 1035724. ISBN 9781510611719 (doi: 10.1117/12.2275058)

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Abstract

Sub-100-nm skyrmions are stabilized in magnetic metallic multilayers and observed using transmission electron microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy and X-ray resonant magnetic scattering. All these advanced imaging techniques demonstrate the presence of 'pure' Neel skyrmion textures with a determined chirality. Combining these observations with electrical measurements allows us to demonstrate reproducible skyrmion nucleation using current pulses, and measure their contribution to the transverse resistivity to detect them electrically. Once nucleated, skyrmions can be moved using charge currents. We find predominantly a creep-like regime, characterized by disordered skyrmion motion, as observed by atomic force microscopy and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. These observations are explained qualitatively and to some extent quantitatively by the presence of crystalline grains of about 20nm lateral size with a distribution of magnetic properties.

Item Type:Conference Proceedings
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McVitie, Professor Stephen and Hughes, Mr Sean
Authors: Reyren, N., Bouzehouane, K., Chauleau, J.-Y., Collin, S., Fert, A., Finizio, S., Garcia, K., Hughes, S., Jaouen, N., Legrand, W., Maccariello, D., McFadzean, S., McVitie, S., Moutafis, C., Popescu, H., Raabe, J., Vaz, C. A. F., and Cros, V.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
ISSN:0277-786X
ISBN:9781510611719
Published Online:27 September 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 SPIE
First Published:First published in Proceedings of SPIE 10357: 1035724
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
685461MAGicSkyRobert StampsEuropean Commission (EC)665095S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY