# Cycloidally modulated magnetic order stabilized by thermal fluctuations in the N\'{e}el-type skyrmion host GaV$_4$S$_8$

## TL;DR

This study uses small-angle neutron scattering to reveal cycloidally modulated Neel-type skyrmions in GaVS, showing their stability is thermally fluctuation-dependent and contrasting with other skyrmion hosts.

## Contribution

It provides direct experimental evidence of cycloidal modulation and thermal fluctuation stabilization of Neel-type skyrmions in GaVS, a unique bulk skyrmion host.

## Key findings

- Cycloidally modulated magnetic states confirmed in GaVS.
- Skyrmions stabilized by thermal fluctuations, not just magnetic interactions.
- Transition to ferromagnetic state at lower temperatures.

## Abstract

We report small-angle neutron scattering studies of the lacunar spinel GaV$_4$S$_8$, which reveal the long-wavelength magnetic states to be cycloidally modulated. This provides direct support for the formation of N\'eel-type skyrmions recently claimed to exist in this compound. In striking contrast with all other bulk skyrmion host materials, upon cooling the modulated magnetic states transform into a ferromagnetic state. These results indicate all of the modulated states in GaV$_4$S$_8$, including the skyrmion state, gain their stability from thermal fluctuations, while at lower temperature the ferromagnetic state emerges in accord with the strong easy-axis magnetic anisotropy. In the vicinity of the transition between the ferromagnetic and modulated states, both a phase coexistence and a soliton-like state are also evidenced by our study.