Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The diffusion of matter in structured environments can give rise to emergent phenomena that do not occur in unstructured environments. Here, we report the asymmetric diffusion of magnetic skyrmions in structured chambers, where repulsive skyrmion–skyrmion and skyrmion-environment interactions play vital roles in their diffusive behavior. By fabricating an off-center asymmetric gate separating two chambers, skyrmions could demonstrate asymmetric diffusion through the gate, which depends on the gate symmetry, the gate opening width, and the skyrmion density. Although the diffusion is affected by the skyrmion density, the simulation outcomes are generally in line with rate equation solutions assuming time-independent diffusion rates. Diffusive skyrmions within the chamber can transiently form bonds through repulsive skyrmion–skyrmion interactions, leading to emergent rotational dynamics that is unique to interacting skyrmion systems. Our results uncover asymmetric diffusive behavior of skyrmions, offering insights that will appeal to a wide audience interested in magnetism, active matter, and statistical physics.
Source: npj Spintronics
Authors: Xichao Zhang, Charles Reichhardt, Cynthia J. O. Reichhardt, Qiming Shao, Rui Zhang, Yan Zhou, Yongbing Xu, Masahito Mochizuki
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,190
Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee, Waseda University, National Nuclear Security Administration, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Science and Technology Agency, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Shenzhen Fundamental Research and Discipline Layout project, Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province, Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Awards: G1553636001, G1669926999, G194360630, G2372219583, G2521286739, G2663214894, G2807979237, G3259578809, G3266613342, G4028464836, Exchange coupling and novel phases in all-magnetic-insulator heterostructures, G461703400, G4621020220, G4667950748, Memory, Logic Computing, and Neural Networks Based on Topological Spin Textures, G5042633659, Exploration of Novel Material Functions and Physical Phenomena of Skyrmions for Advancement of Skyrmionics, G580714241, G6063233474, Computational Study of Three-dimensional Hydrodynamics of Active Liquid Crystals on Interfaces, G6718509927, G6955945449, G7002964794, G771077888, Development of device functions based on topological spin textures interacting with nanostructured functional interfaces, G7951952181, G7997840626, Pioneering fundamental technologies and materials towards skyrmionics, G8943921543
OpenAlex ID: W4415311492
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