Electric-Field Control of Magnetic Skyrmion Chirality in a Centrosymmetric 2D van der Waals Magnet

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that the chirality of skyrmions in a 2D centrosymmetric van der Waals magnet can be electrically controlled and stabilized, enabling potential applications in spintronics and quantum computing.

Contribution

It reveals a method to control skyrmion chirality using an external electric field in an insulating 2D magnet, supported by experimental and theoretical analysis.

Findings

Electric field direction determines skyrmion chirality.

Chirality remains stable under varying magnetic and electric fields.

Electric-field-induced Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions change sign with field reversal.

Abstract

Two-dimensional van der Waals magnets hosting topological magnetic textures, such as skyrmions, show promise for applications in spintronics and quantum computing. Electrical control of these topological spin textures would enable novel devices with enhanced performance and functionality. Here, using electron microscopy combined with in situ electric and magnetic biasing, we show that the skyrmion chirality, whether left-handed or right-handed, in insulating Cr2Ge2Te6, is controlled by external electric field direction applied during magnetic field cooling process. The electric-field-tuned chirality remains stable, even amid variations in magnetic and electric fields. Our theoretical investigation reveals that nonzero Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions between the nearest neighbors, induced by the external electric field, change their sign upon reversing the electric field direction, thereby facilitating chirality selection. The electrical control of magnetic chirality demonstrated in this study can be extended to other non-metallic centrosymmetric skyrmion-hosting magnets, opening avenues for future device designs in topological spintronics and quantum computing.