All electrically manipulated ferrimagnetic skyrmions: creation, dynamic study and detection

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Christian Back
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 448615609

In the planned project, skyrmions in thin-film heterostructures of magnetic 3d-transition metals and rare earths will be investigated. Ferrimagnetic layer systems or alloys can form ferrimagnetic skyrmions in a certain temperature and composition range, which are also stable at the compensation point of the magnetization as well as at the compensation point of the angular momentum. At the compensation point, the so-called Skyrmion Hall angle, which is a measure of the lateral deflection of the Skyrmions under the influence of a force, approaches zero.In this project, the phase diagram of ferrimagnetic layer systems and alloys will be investigated by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy in order to optimize the layers produced by sputter deposition. Then the formation and manipulation of skyrmions will be investigated in suitable nanostructures, both statically and time-resolved. Finally, the electrical detection of skyrmions using the tunnel magnetoresistance will be realized in a skyrmion racetrack and a skyrmion racetrack prototype will be demonstrated.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: China
• Partner Organisation: National Natural Science Foundation of China
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Na Lei, Ph.D.