Magnetization Reversal Signatures of Hybrid and Pure N\'eel Skyrmions in Thin Film Multilayers

TL;DR

This study uses FORC analysis and micromagnetic simulations to distinguish hybrid and pure Ne9el skyrmions in multilayer thin films, revealing a fingerprint for pure Ne9el skyrmions based on FORC features.

Contribution

It demonstrates that FORC diagrams can identify and differentiate hybrid and pure Ne9el skyrmions in multilayers, expanding the toolset for spin topology characterization.

Findings

FORC diagrams differ significantly between low-DMI and high-DMI multilayers.

The negative FORC valley disappears with increased DMI and reduced dipolar interactions.

A single positive FORC peak near saturation indicates pure Ne9el skyrmions.

Abstract

We report a study of the magnetization reversals and skyrmion configurations in two systems - Pt/Co/MgO and Ir/Fe/Co/Pt multilayers, where magnetic skyrmions are stabilized by a combination of dipolar and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI). First Order Reversal Curve (FORC) diagrams of low-DMI Pt/Co/MgO and high-DMI Ir/Fe/Co/Pt exhibit stark differences, which are identified by micromagnetic simulations to be indicative of hybrid and pure N\'eel skyrmions, respectively. Tracking the evolution of FORC features in multilayers with dipolar interactions and DMI, we find that the negative FORC valley, typically accompanying the positive FORC peak near saturation, disappears under both reduced dipolar interactions and enhanced DMI. As these conditions favor the formation of pure Neel skyrmions, we propose that the resultant FORC feature - a single positive FORC peak near saturation - can act as a fingerprint for pure N\'eel skyrmions in multilayers. Our study thus expands on the utility of FORC analysis as a tool for characterizing spin topology in multilayer thin films.