Diode Effect for Skyrmions Interacting with Linear Protrusion Defects

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a diode effect in skyrmion flow interacting with linear protrusion defects, showing asymmetric flow and annihilation rates influenced by substrate asymmetry and Magnus force.

Contribution

It reveals the diode effect in skyrmion dynamics within asymmetric channels and analyzes the impact of Magnus force on skyrmion behavior.

Findings

Strong diode effect observed in skyrmion flow

Asymmetry in skyrmion annihilation rates based on current direction

Magnus force influences skyrmion motion and annihilation

Abstract

We simulate collectively interacting skyrmions in a channel with periodic asymmetry, and find a strong diode effect for the skyrmion flow. There is also an asymmetry in the skyrmion annihilation rate for currents applied along the hard or easy substrate asymmetry direction, with a higher annihilation rate for hard direction currents. We map out the diode efficiency as a function of magnetic field and substrate asymmetry angle. We also show that the Magnus force impacts the diode motion and annihilation rate asymmetry by forcing skyrmions into corners of the protrusion geometry.