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Laser-induced topological spin switching in a 2D van der Waals magnet

Author

Listed:
  • Maya Khela

    (The University of Edinburgh)

  • Maciej Da̧browski

    (University of Exeter)

  • Safe Khan

    (University College London)

  • Paul S. Keatley

    (University of Exeter)

  • Ivan Verzhbitskiy

    (National University of Singapore
    Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre)

  • Goki Eda

    (National University of Singapore
    Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre
    National University of Singapore)

  • Robert J. Hicken

    (University of Exeter)

  • Hidekazu Kurebayashi

    (University College London
    UCL
    Tohoku University)

  • Elton J. G. Santos

    (The University of Edinburgh
    The University of Edinburgh)

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) magnets represent one of the most promising horizons for energy-efficient spintronic applications because their broad range of electronic, magnetic and topological properties. However, little is known about the interplay between light and spin properties in vdW layers. Here we show that ultrafast laser excitation can not only generate different type of spin textures in CrGeTe3 vdW magnets but also induce a reversible transformation between them in a topological toggle switch mechanism. Our atomistic spin dynamics simulations and wide-field Kerr microscopy measurements show that different textures can be generated via high-intense laser pulses within the picosecond regime. The phase transformation between the different topological spin textures is obtained as additional laser pulses are applied to the system where the polarisation and final state of the spins can be controlled by external magnetic fields. Our results indicate laser-driven spin textures on 2D magnets as a pathway towards reconfigurable topological architectures at the atomistic level.

Suggested Citation

  • Maya Khela & Maciej Da̧browski & Safe Khan & Paul S. Keatley & Ivan Verzhbitskiy & Goki Eda & Robert J. Hicken & Hidekazu Kurebayashi & Elton J. G. Santos, 2023. "Laser-induced topological spin switching in a 2D van der Waals magnet," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37082-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37082-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zefang Li & Huai Zhang & Guanqi Li & Jiangteng Guo & Qingping Wang & Ying Deng & Yue Hu & Xuange Hu & Can Liu & Minghui Qin & Xi Shen & Richeng Yu & Xingsen Gao & Zhimin Liao & Junming Liu & Zhipeng H, 2024. "Room-temperature sub-100 nm Néel-type skyrmions in non-stoichiometric van der Waals ferromagnet Fe3-xGaTe2 with ultrafast laser writability," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Freddie Hendriks & Rafael R. Rojas-Lopez & Bert Koopmans & Marcos H. D. Guimarães, 2024. "Electric control of optically-induced magnetization dynamics in a van der Waals ferromagnetic semiconductor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.

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