Strain-Induced Reversible Motion of Skyrmions at Room Temperature

Chen Liu, Junlin Wang, Wa He, Chenhui Zhang, Senfu Zhang, Shuai Yuan, Zhipeng Hou*, Minghui Qin, Yongbing Xu, Xingsen Gao, Yong Peng*, Kai Liu, Zi Qiang Qiu, Jun Ming Liu, Xixiang Zhang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected swirling spin textures with great potential for future spintronic applications. The ability to induce skyrmion motion using mechanical strain not only stimulates the exploration of exotic physics but also affords the opportunity to develop energy-efficient spintronic devices. However, the experimental realization of strain-driven skyrmion motion remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we demonstrate that the inhomogeneous uniaxial compressive strain can induce the movement of isolated skyrmions from regions of high strain to regions of low strain at room temperature, which was directly observed using an in situ Lorentz transmission electron microscope with a specially designed nanoindentation holder. We discover that the uniaxial compressive strain can transform skyrmions into a single domain with in-plane magnetization, resulting in the coexistence of skyrmions with a single domain along the direction of the strain gradient. Through comprehensive micromagnetic simulations, we reveal that the repulsive interactions between skyrmions and the single domain serve as the driving force behind the skyrmion motion. The precise control of skyrmion motion through strain provides exciting opportunities for designing advanced spintronic devices that leverage the intricate interplay between strain and magnetism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)761-769
Number of pages9
JournalACS Nano
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 9 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 American Chemical Society.

Keywords

  • FeSn
  • magnetic anisotropy
  • magnetic skyrmions
  • room temperature
  • strain

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • General Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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