Chemical Design of Non-collinear Spin Textures in Rare-Earth Intermetallic Materials

Materials that host non-collinear spin textures, such as skyrmions, have often been proposed as information carriers for spintronics, particularly as data storage media.[1,2] Historically, many material discoveries have occurred serendipitously. However as the complexity of material challenges continues to grow, deliberate chemical design strategies are essential for both the material synthesis and discovery of desired properties.[3] In this work, we will explore materials that host these magnetic states, guided through such design principles. We present recent advances in a family of rare-earth intermetallics that host an intricate landscape and evolution of magnetic phases across compounds.[4] We will highlight the techniques utilized to uncover the existence of non-collinear spin textures and investigate their potential origins. We will then conclude on approaches that push these magnetic states under more ambient environmental conditions.