A model for individual quantal nano-skyrmions

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum model for individual skyrmions in ferromagnetic materials, highlighting their quantal properties, multiple states, and potential experimental detection methods.

Contribution

It presents a novel quantal model for localized skyrmions, emphasizing their discrete states and quantum features, advancing understanding of skyrmion stability and detection.

Findings

Identification of multiple quantized skyrmion states

Revealing non-classical local spin behavior

Proposing IETS for skyrmion phase discrimination

Abstract

A quantal model description of a discrete localized skyrmion singularity embedded in a ferromagnetic environment is proposed. It allows discussing the importance of various parameters in the appearance of a quantal skyrmion singularity. Analysis of the skyrmion reveals a few specific quantal properties: presence of a whole series of skyrmion states, non-classical nature of the local spins, presence of superposition states and presence of extra-skyrmion states due to the quantization of the central spin of the singularity. The interaction of an electron, tunneling or substrate, with the skyrmion is also described allowing a new view at the origin of the skyrmion stability as well as the possibility to discriminate between ferromagnetic and skyrmion phase in an Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy (IETS) experiment, based on the skyrmion quantal properties.