X-ray holographic imaging of magnetic surface spirals in FeGe lamellae

TL;DR

This paper reports the first experimental observation of a surface-pinned stacked spin spiral phase in FeGe lamellae, using resonant x-ray holography and simulations, advancing understanding of helimagnetic systems.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental evidence of a theorized surface-pinned spin spiral in isotropic helimagnets, confirmed through imaging and simulations.

Findings

Observation of surface-pinned spin spiral in FeGe

Use of resonant x-ray holography for magnetic imaging

Implications for stability of magnetic textures

Abstract

Isotropic helimagnets are known to host a diverse range of chiral magnetic states. In 2016, F.N. Rybakov et al. theorized the presence of a surface-pinned stacked spin spiral phase [F.N. Rybakov et al., 2016 New J. Phys. 18 045002], which has yet to be observed experimentally. Here we present experimental evidence for the observation of this state in lamellae of FeGe using resonant x-ray holographic imaging data and micromagnetic simulations. The identification of this state has significant implications for the stability of other coexisting spin textures, and will help complete our understanding of helimagnetic systems.