Guided Skyrmion Motion Along Pinning Array Interfaces

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that skyrmions can be guided along interfaces between different obstacle arrays using ac drive, enabling controlled transport and directional switching, which could be useful for skyrmion-based devices.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for controlling skyrmion motion through interface-guided transport in obstacle arrays, expanding potential applications.

Findings

Skyrmions move along interfaces between obstacle arrays under ac drive.

Directed skyrmion transport can follow straight or cornered interfaces.

Transport directions can be controlled by tuning ac drive parameters.

Abstract

We examine ac driven skyrmions interacting with the interface between two different obstacle array structures. We consider drive amplitudes at which skyrmions in a bulk obstacle lattice undergo only localized motion and show that when an obstacle lattice interface is introduced, directed skyrmion transport can occur along the interface. The skyrmions can be guided by a straight interface and can also turn corners to follow the interface. For a square obstacle lattice embedded in a square pinning array with a larger lattice constant, we find that skyrmions can undergo transport in all four primary symmetry directions under the same fixed ac drive. We map where localized or translating motion occurs as a function of the ac driving parameters. Our results suggest a new method for controlling skyrmion motion based on transport along obstacle lattice interfaces.