Skyrmion Sliding Switch in a 90-nm-Wide Nanostructured Chiral Magnet

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a skyrmion sliding switch in 90-nm-wide chiral magnetic nanostructures, utilizing 3D topological magnetism and skyrmion-edge interactions for potential spintronic device applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel skyrmion sliding switch exploiting edge interactions in confined nanostructures, with experimental validation and theoretical modeling of current-driven skyrmion motion.

Findings

Skyrmion-edge interactions create two stable positions for binary switching.

Current-driven spiral skyrmion motion can be controlled by magnetic field and temperature.

A tunable threshold current density enables reliable on-off switching in nanostructures.

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions, renowned for their fascinating electromagnetic properties, hold potential for next-generation topological spintronic devices. Recent advancements have unveiled a rich tapestry of 3D topological magnetism. Nevertheless, the practical application of 3D topological magnetism in the development of topological spintronic devices remains a challenge. Here, we showcase the experimental utilization of 3D topological magnetism through the exploitation of skyrmion-edge attractive interactions in 90-nm-wide confined chiral FeGe and CoZnMn magnetic nanostructures. These attractive interactions result in two degenerate equilibrium positions, which can be naturally interpreted as binary bits for a skyrmion sliding switch. Our theory and simulation reveal current-driven spiral motions of skyrmions, governed by the anisotropic gradient of the potential landscape. Our experiments validate the theory that predicts a tunable threshold current density via magnetic field and temperature modulation of the energy barrier. Our results offer an approach for implementing universal on-off switch functions in 3D topological spintronic devices.