Manipulation of magnetic skyrmions in continuous Ir/Co/Pt multilayers

TL;DR

This study demonstrates room-temperature stabilization and manipulation of magnetic skyrmions in Ir/Co/Pt multilayers, revealing the effects of magnetic anisotropy, in-plane fields, and strain on skyrmion behavior for potential device applications.

Contribution

It presents a method to stabilize and control skyrmions in multilayers without external stimuli, highlighting the influence of strain and magnetic fields on skyrmion phases.

Findings

Skyrmions stabilized at room temperature in multilayers.

Skyrmion density increased with in-plane magnetic field.

Strain affects skyrmion phase diagram in thin film multilayers.

Abstract

We show that magnetic skyrmions can be stabilized at room temperature in continuous Ir/Co/Pt multilayers on SiO2/Si substrate without prior application of electric current or magnetic field. While decreasing the Co thickness, tuning of the magnetic anisotropy gives rise to a transition from worm-like domain patterns to long and separate stripes. The skyrmions are clearly imaged in both states using Magnetic Force Microscopy. The density of skyrmions can be significantly enhanced after applying the in-plane field procedure. In addition, we have investigated the phase diagram of a sample deposited in the same run, but onto a SiNx membrane using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. Interestingly, this sample shows a different behaviour as function of magnetic field hinting to the influence of strain on the phase diagram of skyrmions in thin film multilayers. Our results provide means to manipulate skyrmion, further allowing for optimized engineering of skyrmion-based devices.