Formation of N\'eel Type Skyrmions in an Antidot Lattice with Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a method to generate and stabilize nanometer-sized Ne9el-type skyrmions within an antidot lattice with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, offering a new platform for skyrmion-based data storage research.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach using an antidot lattice to reliably capture and stabilize skyrmions at room temperature, supported by simulations and experimental validation.

Findings

Skyrmion formation depends on antidot lattice parameters.

Magnetic antidot lattice can host and stabilize skyrmions.

Experimental confirmation via scanning transmission x-ray microscopy.

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions are particle-like chiral spin textures found in a magnetic film with out-of-planeanisotropy and are considered to be potential candidates as information carriers in next generationdata storage devices. Despite intense research into the nature of skyrmions and their dynamic prop-erties, there are several key challenges that still need to be addressed. In particular, the outstandingissues are the reproducible generation, stabilization and confinement of skyrmions at room tempera-ture. Here, we present a method for the capture of nanometer sized magnetic skyrmions in an arrayof magnetic topological defects in the form of an antidot lattice. With micromagnetic simulations,we elucidate the skyrmion formation in the antidot lattice and show that the capture is dependenton the antidot lattice parameters. This behavior is confirmed with scanning transmission x-ray mi-croscopy measurements. This demonstration that a magnetic antidot lattice can be implemented asa host to capture skyrmions provides a new platform for experimental investigations of skyrmionsand skyrmion based devices.