Work

Hybrid skyrmions in magnetic multilayer thin films are half-integer hopfions

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The magnetic skyrmions found in multilayer thin films have a three-dimensional hybrid structure with depth-dependent helicity. The authors develop here a theoretical framework for these hybrid skyrmions based on the Hopf fibration, which captures the knotted structure of their field lines. They show that hybrid skyrmions can be considered half-integer Hopfions, and use their framework to relate the topological charge of partially twisted hybrid skyrmions to their surface domain wall helicity, providing a connection between experimental measurements and underlying topology.

Source: Physical review. B./Physical review. B

DOI: 10.1103/physrevb.110.224420

Authors: W. S. Parker, J. A. Reddinger, B. J. McMorran

Institution: University of Oregon

Language: English

Topic: Magnetic properties of thin films

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, University of Oregon

Award: Collaborative Research: Engineering, imaging and control of three-dimensional topological magnetic materials