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Transition to and from the skyrmion lattice phase by electric fields in a magnetoelectric compound

Author

Listed:
  • Y. Okamura

    (University of Tokyo)

  • F. Kagawa

    (RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS))

  • S. Seki

    (RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS)
    PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency)

  • Y. Tokura

    (University of Tokyo
    RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS))

Abstract

Dissipation-less electric control of magnetic state variable is an important target of contemporary spintronics. The non-volatile control of magnetic skyrmions, nanometre-sized spin-swirling objects, with electric fields may exemplify this goal. The skyrmion-hosting magnetoelectric chiral magnet Cu2OSeO3 provides a unique platform for the implementation of such control; however, the hysteresis that accompanies the first-order transition associated with the skyrmion phase is negligibly narrow in practice. Here we demonstrate another method that functions irrespective of the transition boundary. Combination of magnetic-susceptibility measurements and microwave spectroscopy reveals that although the metastable skyrmion lattice is normally hidden behind a more thermodynamically stable conical phase, it emerges under electric fields and persists down to the lowest temperature. Once created, this metastable skyrmion lattice remains without electric fields, establishing a bistability distinct from the transition hysteresis. This bistability thus enables non-volatile electric-field control of the skyrmion lattice even in temperature/magnetic-field regions far from the transition boundary.

Suggested Citation

  • Y. Okamura & F. Kagawa & S. Seki & Y. Tokura, 2016. "Transition to and from the skyrmion lattice phase by electric fields in a magnetoelectric compound," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-6, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12669
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12669
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