Theory of high-resolution tunneling spin transport on a magnetic skyrmion

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework for high-resolution tunneling spin transport in magnetic skyrmions using STM, linking charge current images to spin transport properties and highlighting tunability via spin polarizations.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive theory connecting charge and spin transport in STM, enabling estimation of spin transport from experimental images and exploring tunability of spin vectors.

Findings

Connection between SP-STM images and spin transport vectors

Tunable spin transport properties via spin polarization

Framework for analyzing spin dynamics in magnetic textures

Abstract

Tunneling spin transport characteristics of a magnetic skyrmion are described theoretically in magnetic scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The spin-polarized charge current in STM (SP-STM) and tunneling spin transport vector quantities, the longitudinal spin current and the spin transfer torque, are calculated in high spatial resolution within the same theoretical framework. A connection between the conventional charge current SP-STM image contrasts and the magnitudes of the spin transport vectors is demonstrated that enables the estimation of tunneling spin transport properties based on experimentally measured SP-STM images. A considerable tunability of the spin transport vectors by the involved spin polarizations is also highlighted. These possibilities and the combined theory of tunneling charge and vector spin transport pave the way for gaining deep insight into electric-current-induced tunneling spin transport properties in SP-STM and to the related dynamics of complex magnetic textures at surfaces.