Noncollinear topological textures in two-dimensional van der Waals materials: From magnetic to polar systems

TL;DR

This review discusses recent advances in the study of noncollinear topological textures, such as skyrmions and bimerons, in two-dimensional van der Waals materials, highlighting experimental observations and theoretical predictions in magnetic and polar systems.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent experimental and theoretical progress on noncollinear topological textures in 2D van der Waals materials, emphasizing new discoveries and future prospects.

Findings

Magnetic skyrmions observed in 2D van der Waals materials.

Theoretical predictions of various noncollinear textures await experimental confirmation.

Potential for 2D materials in topological texture research and applications.

Abstract

In recent years, noncollinear topological textures have long gained increasing research attentions for their high values of both fundamental researches and potential applications. The recent discovery of intrinsic orders in magnetic and polar two-dimensional van der Waals materials provides a new ideal platform for the investigation of noncollinear topological textures. Here, we review the theoretical and experimental progresses on noncollinear topological textures in two-dimensional van der Waals materials in very recent years. During these years, magnetic skyrmions of both Bloch and N\'eel types have been observed experimentally in a few two-dimensional van der Waals materials and related heterostructures. Concurrently, more theoretic predictions basing on various mechanisms have been reported about different noncollinear topological textures in two-dimensional van der Waals materials, such as skyrmions, bimerons, anti-biskyrmions and skyrmionium, which are still waiting to be confirmed in experiments. Besides, noncollinear topological electric dipole orders have also been predicted in two-dimensional van der Waals materials. Taking advantage of the intrinsic two-dimensional nature and high integratability, the two-dimensional van der Waals materials will play an important role in the investigation on noncollinear topological textures in both magnetic and polar systems.