Observation of room-temperature magnetic skyrmions in Pt/Co/Cu multilayers

Magnetic skyrmions are a promising candidate for high-density and energy-efficient information storage and processing. Magnetic multilayers systems Pt/Co/X (X= metallic element) provide an ideal platform to study skyrmions due to the rich tunability of magnetic properties. Here we report observation of room-temperature skyrmions in epitaxial grown [Pt/Co/Cu]₅ multilayers on insulating substrates. The magnetic properties were characterized by magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) and SQUID magnetometer measurements. The skyrmions were confirmed by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) and magnetic force microscope (MFM). Furthermore, by tunning Co layer thickness and periods number of multilayers, we are able to modify magnetic properties as well as skyrmions in multilayers.