Thickness-Driven Transitions Between Novel Magnetic States in Ferromagnetic Films

TL;DR

This paper investigates how varying the thickness of ferromagnetic films induces transitions between two stable topological magnetic states, revealing a phase diagram and metastable coexistence regions, advancing understanding of 3D magnetic textures.

Contribution

It introduces two new stable topological magnetic states in ferromagnetic films and maps their thickness-dependent transitions and coexistence regions.

Findings

Identification of 'hourglass' and 'dome' magnetic states

Discovery of thickness-driven phase transitions

Construction of a phase diagram for state stability

Abstract

Magnetic materials hosting stable topological spin textures have demonstrated energy efficiency and potential as information carriers in novel logic and memory devices, offering an alternative to magnetic tunnel junction technology. While these structures are well understood in 2D, in 3D their stability, interactions, and topological transitions require further exploration. Here we present two thermodynamically stable topological states, termed the "hourglass" and "dome", in centrosymmetric magnetic films of varying thickness. Crucially, we observe thickness-dependent transitions between the two states, with regions of metastability where both configurations coexist. We construct a phase diagram detailing the parameter space for their existence and transitions, provide an effective description of the interactions that mediate the transition, and discuss the implications of this type of state switching.