Correlation of Interface Interdiffusion and Skyrmionic Phases

Author(s)

Carvalho, Pamela C. ; Miranda, Ivan P. ; Brandao, Jeovani ; Bergman, Anders ; Cezar, Julio C. ; Klautau, Angela B. ; Petrilli, Helena M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Nano Letters; v. 23, n. 11, p. 8-pg., 2023-05-26.

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions are prime candidates for the nextgenerationof spintronic devices. Skyrmions and other topological magnetic structuresare known to be stabilized by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction(DMI) that occurs when the inversion symmetry is broken in thin films.Here, we show by first-principles calculations and atomistic spindynamics simulations that metastable skyrmionic states can also befound in nominally symmetric multilayered systems. We demonstratethat this is correlated with the large enhancement of the DMI strengthdue to the presence of local defects. In particular, we find thatmetastable skyrmions can occur in Pd/Co/Pd multilayers without externalmagnetic fields and can be stable even near room temperature conditions.Our theoretical findings corroborate with magnetic force microscopyimages and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements and highlightthe possibility of tuning the intensity of DMI by using interdiffusionat thin film interfaces. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/00581-2 - Atomistic spin dynamics in symmetric interfaces with complex magnetic nanostructures: investigation of interdiffusion effects
• Grantee: Pamela Costa Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 12/51198-2 - Growth and characterization of the electronic structure of oxides multiferroics heterostructures
• Grantee: Júlio Criginski Cezar
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/05609-7 - Spin dynamics in antiferromagnetic nanostructured materials from ab-initio calculations: formation and stability of skyrmions
• Grantee: Pamela Costa Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 22/10095-8 - New materials for energy and spintronics
• Grantee: Helena Maria Petrilli
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants