Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Skyrmions are vortex-like spin textures that form strings in magnetic crystals. Due to the analogy to elastic strings, skyrmion strings are naturally expected to braid and form complex three-dimensional patterns, but this phenomenon has not been explored yet. We found that skyrmion strings can form braids in cubic crystals of chiral magnets. This finding is confirmed by direct observations of skyrmion braids in B20-type FeGe using transmission electron microscopy. The theoretical analysis predicts that the discovered phenomenon is general for a wide family of chiral magnets. These findings have important implications for skyrmionics and propose a solid-state framework for applications of the mathematical theory of braids.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Fengshan Zheng, Filipp N. Rybakov, Filipp N. Rybakov, Nikolai S. Kiselev, Nikolai S. Kiselev, Dongsheng Song, András Kovács, Haifeng Du, Stefan Blügel, Rafal E. Dunin-Borkowski
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,885
Awards: G1249521407, G157341013, G2085126730, Three-dimensional magnetization textures: Discovery and control on the nanoscale, Unconventional states of matter in multi-component quantum systems from strong, long-range or frustrated intercomponent interactions, G3614653396, Hybride dreidimensionale Solitonen für Anwendungen, G434337789, TRR 270: HystereseDesign magnetischer Materialien für effiziente Energieumwandlung, Enabling Science and Technology through European Electron Microscopy, G571279759, QUANTUM SORTER, G6326200580, G712881263, G7936006018, Optical quantum sensing for biomolecular and environmental studies
OpenAlex ID: W3140006346