Field-controlled dynamics of skyrmions and monopoles

TL;DR

This paper explores the control and manipulation of skyrmions and monopoles in liquid crystal systems, revealing new configurations and dynamics that could inform future applications in condensed matter physics.

Contribution

It introduces novel geometrical configurations of skyrmions and monopoles in liquid crystals and demonstrates their manipulation via external fields, bridging theoretical modeling and experimental characterization.

Findings

Realization of skyrmion-monopole structures in liquid crystals.

External magnetic and electric fields can control these structures.

Potential implications for other physical systems and applications.

Abstract

Magnetic monopoles, despite their ongoing experimental search as elementary particles, have inspired the discovery of analogous excitations in condensed matter systems. In chiral condensed matter systems, emergent monopoles are responsible for the onset of transitions between topologically distinct states and phases, like in the case of transitions from helical and conical phase to A-phase comprising periodic arrays of skyrmions. By combining numerical modeling and optical characterizations, we describe how different geometrical configurations of skyrmions terminating at monopoles can be realized in liquid crystals and liquid crystal ferromagnets. We demonstrate how such complex structures can be effectively manipulated by external magnetic and electric fields. Furthermore, we discuss how our findings may hint at similar dynamics in other physical systems, and their potential applications.