Pressure tunable magnetic skyrmion phase in Co8Zn8Mn4 single crystals

TL;DR

This study shows that applying hydrostatic pressure can significantly expand the temperature and magnetic field range where skyrmions exist in Co8Zn8Mn4 single crystals, highlighting pressure as a tool to control skyrmion phases.

Contribution

It demonstrates pressure tuning of the skyrmion phase in Co8Zn8Mn4, revealing how external pressure influences skyrmion stability and phase boundaries.

Findings

Hydrostatic pressure extends skyrmion phase range at 6 kbar.

Further pressure to 10 kbar slightly contracts the skyrmion phase.

Skyrmion phase is highly sensitive to external pressure in this material.

Abstract

In a magnetic skyrmion phase, magnetic moments form vortex-like topological textures which are of both fundamental and industrial interests. In $\beta$-Mn-type Co-Zn-Mn alloys, chrial magnetic skyrmions emerge above room temperature, providing a unique system for studying the skrymion physics and exploring spintronics applications. However, the magnetic skyrmion phase is typically confined in a narrow and limited temperature ($T$) and magnetic field ($H$) range. Here, we demonstrate that hydrostatic pressure can expand the skyrmion phase in the $T-H$ phase diagram of single-crystalline Co$_8$Zn$_8$Mn$_4$. At ambient pressure, signatures of skyrmions are seen within $T\sim302-308$ K and $H\sim50-100$ Oe. Applying a moderate pressure of 6 kbar extends this range to $T\sim300-310$ K and $H\sim50-150$ Oe. However, further escalation of pressure to 10 kbar results in a slight contraction of the skyrmion phase. These findings underscore the sensitivity of the skyrmion phase in Co$_8$Zn$_8$Mn$_4$ to external pressures, and hint at the potential of strain engineering, particularly in $\beta$-Mn-type Co-Zn-Mn thin films, as a promising avenue to customize the skyrmion phase.