Symmetry Theory of the Flexomagnetoelectric Interaction in the Magnetic Vortices and Skyrmions

TL;DR

This paper develops a symmetry-based classification of magnetic vortices and skyrmions, linking their electric and magnetic properties, and explores how their core electric dipoles influence their magnetization and chirality states.

Contribution

It introduces a symmetry classification framework for vortices and skyrmions and connects electric dipole moments with their core magnetization and chirality switching.

Findings

Electric dipole is localized inside the vortex core.

Antivortices and antiskyrmions do not carry total core electric dipole.

Switching core electric dipole reverses magnetization or vortex chirality.

Abstract

Symmetry classification of the magnetic vortices and skyrmions has been suggested. Relation between symmetry based predictions and direct calculation has been shown. It was shown, that electric dipole moment of the vortex is located inside the small vortex core. The antivortices and antiskyrmions do not carry the total core electric dipole induced by the flexomagnetoelectric interaction in the hexoctahedral cubic crystal. The volumetric bound electric charge is distributed around the core. Switching of the core electric dipole direction produces the switching of the core magnetization or vortex chirality and vice versa. The vortices and skyrmions with time-invariant enantiomorphism have two degenerative states: clockwise and counterclockwise state.