Switching between Skyrmions and Yoshimori Spin Spirals via Li Absorption in Janus Magnets

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how Li adsorption on Janus 2D CrTeSe can reversibly switch between skyrmions and Yoshimori spin spirals by modifying magnetic interactions, offering new control strategies for spintronic applications.

Contribution

It reveals that site-specific Li adsorption on Janus 2D magnets can selectively stabilize different chiral magnetic textures, providing a novel method for controlling magnetic states.

Findings

Li adsorption on Se stabilizes Yoshimori spin spirals

Li adsorption on Te stabilizes skyrmionic states

Magnetic textures respond differently to out-of-plane magnetic fields

Abstract

Chiral magnetic textures have attracted considerable attention owing to their topological properties and potential applications in spintronic devices. Here, we employ first-principles calculations together with atomic spin dynamics simulations to explore the switching between skyrmions and Yoshimori-type spin spirals induced by Li adsorption in Janus two-dimensional (2D) CrTeSe. We show that selective Li adsorption on either the Se- or Te-terminated surface stabilizes distinct magnetic phases: Li adsorption on the Se side favors a Yoshimori-type spin spiral, whereas adsorption on the Te side stabilizes the skyrmionic state. This contrast originates from site-dependent modifications of exchange interactions, magnetic anisotropy (MA), and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). In addition, the response of magnetic textures to out-of-plane magnetic fields differs strongly between the two systems. These results demonstrate that surface adsorption provides an effective strategy for reversible control of chiral magnetic states in 2D magnets, while also offering fundamental insights into the competing interactions that govern the stability of skyrmions and Yoshimori spin spirals. Our findings highlight the potential of Janus 2D materials as a versatile platform for engineering tunable spintronic devices.