Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected spin textures with attractive properties suitable for high-density and low-power spintronic device applications. Much effort has been dedicated to understanding the dynamical behaviours of the magnetic skyrmions. However, experimental observation of the ultrafast dynamics of this chiral magnetic texture in real space, which is the hallmark of its quasiparticle nature, has so far remained elusive. Here, we report nanosecond-dynamics of a 100nm-diameter magnetic skyrmion during a current pulse application, using a time-resolved pump-probe soft X-ray imaging technique. We demonstrate that distinct dynamic excitation states of magnetic skyrmions, triggered by current-induced spin-orbit torques, can be reliably tuned by changing the magnitude of spin-orbit torques. Our findings show that the dynamics of magnetic skyrmions can be controlled by the spin-orbit torque on the nanosecond time scale, which points to exciting opportunities for ultrafast and novel skyrmionic applications in the future.
Source: Nature Communications
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15573
Institutions: Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Sookmyung Women's University, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz, Korea University of Science and Technology, Korea University
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, POSCO TJ Park Foundation, National Research Foundation, Sookmyung Women's University, Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, National Research Foundation of Korea, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences
Awards: G1286236842, G1286251239, G1445641779, G1532814789, G1816284028, G30714459, G3569649316, G365575497, G419881185, G42916606, G4558950695, G4702789189, G4729064115, G482223351, G498139845, G5492234901, G5656807399, G5724895686, G5849692847, G6081670982, G650090426, G719286524, G7228856621, G7777681405, G7945883632, G8086201947, G969889393
OpenAlex ID: W2617436937