Skyrmion lattice formation and destruction mechanisms probed with SANS

A magnetic Skyrmions is a local whirl of the spin configuration in a magnetic material. These topologically stabilized quasi-particles have interesting applications in spintronic devices [1] also, these structures cannot be continuously created or destroyed.



The formation and destruction time scales of skyrmions are important when it comes to applications. Typically, magnetic dynamics occur in the nanosecond (10-9 s) timeframe, however, the time scale of skyrmion formation may be much longer.

In this work, we have measured the slow dynamics on B20 skyrmion materials MnSi, FeCoSi, and Bloch skyrmions Cu2OSeO3, by using a magnetic field with a frequency of 0.1 Hz and measured with SANS. The formation rate of skyrmions was a surprisingly slow 10's of ms.

Skyrmions are been pushed back and forth in the skyrmion-stabilized window. By analyzing the scattering pattern with a 10 ms interval, the time constant for the skyrmions destroyed or created was observed between 27-40 ms while keeping the sample environment constant. Skyrmions follow their formation paths despite changing rates in the magnetic field.

1. Desautels, R.D., et al., Physical Review Materials, 2019. 3(10).