2D magnetoelectric multiferroics in MnSTe/In2Se3 heterobilayer with ferroelectrically controllable skyrmions

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that in a 2D heterobilayer of MnSTe and In2Se3, electric polarization switching can control the creation and annihilation of skyrmions, revealing a pathway for ferroelectric control of topological magnetic phases.

Contribution

It introduces a novel 2D heterobilayer system exhibiting strong magnetoelectric coupling and controllable skyrmions via ferroelectric polarization switching, supported by first-principles and Monte Carlo simulations.

Findings

Ferroelectric switching induces skyrmion creation and annihilation.

The physical quantity D2/|KJ| describes the conditions for skyrmion control.

Topological magnetic phases are stable across temperature variations.

Abstract

The magnetoelectric effect and skyrmions are two fundamental phenomena in the field of condensed-matter physics. Here, using first-principles calculations and Monte-Carlo simulations, we propose that strong magnetoelectric coupling can be demonstrated in a multiferroic heterobilayer consisting of two-dimensional (2D) MnSTe and {\alpha}-In2Se3. As the electric polarization in ferroelectric {\alpha}-In2Se3 is switched, the creation and annihilation of topological magnetic phase can be achieved in this multiferroic heterobilayer, giving rise to the intriguing ferroelectrically controllable skyrmions. This feature is further revealed to be closely related to the physical quantity of D2/|KJ|, which is generally applicable for describing the required conditions of such physics. Moreover, the evaluations of their topological magnetic phases with temperature are systematically discussed. These insights not only greatly enrich the research on 2D magnetoelectric multiferroics, but also pave a promising avenue to realize new skyrmionic device concepts.