Manipulation of magnetic skyrmions by non-uniform electric fields

TL;DR

This paper proposes a theoretical method to manipulate magnetic skyrmions using localized electric fields from charged tips, enabling creation, motion, and annihilation of various skyrmion textures.

Contribution

It introduces a magnetoelectric approach for skyrmion control, combining simulations and analytical theory to demonstrate versatile manipulation techniques.

Findings

Electric fields can create, drive, and annihilate skyrmions of different chiralities.

Multiple dynamical regimes of skyrmion motion are mapped onto a phase diagram.

Feasibility of a device for controlled skyrmion manipulation is discussed.

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected spin textures in ferromagnetic materials that hold great promise for both classical information storage and processing, as well as for fault-tolerant quantum computing. Realizing practical skyrmion-based devices demands an energy-efficient and precise method for their flexible manipulation. In this paper, we theoretically propose such a tool, leveraging the magnetoelectric effect induced by a localized electric field generated by one or several charged tips. Combining complementary numerical simulations and analytical approaches, we develop a consistent theory describing the stability and dynamics of N\'eel-type skyrmions under the influence of the electric field from a charged tip. Specifically, we demonstrate that the electric field can create, drive, and annihilate skyrmions of both chiralities, as well as more complex textures such as skyrmioniums and target skyrmions. We identify several distinct dynamical regimes of skyrmion motion near the tip and map them onto a phase diagram. Finally, we discuss the feasibility of a practical device capable of controlled skyrmion manipulation based on this principle.