Topological Spintronics
Magnetic skyrmions are nanoscale spin structures in magnetic materials that exhibit a vortex-like configuration, typically stabilized by competing interactions such as exchange and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI). These structures are topologically protected, meaning that their spin arrangement is resistant to small disturbances, maintaining their integrity even under perturbations. This protection arises from their unique topological properties, which are quantified by a "topological charge". Due to this robustness, skyrmions and other topological spin structures are highly promising for spintronic applications, particularly in ultra-dense data storage, energy-efficient computing, and neuromorphic devices, where their topological nature can be used for new computational paradigms. KOMQUEST aims to explore new aspects of these topological spin-textures.
Hall effect. B. Interaction of a superconducting vortex with a topological skyrmion-like object. C. Magnon transport in oxide
based magnetic structures (taken from Li et al., Sci. Adv. 8, eadd6984 (2022)).
Objectives:
1. Imaging, spectroscopy and motion of topological spin textures
- Imaging 3D spin textures using X-ray holography and cryogenic STXM
2. Interaction between topological Skyrmions and superconducting vortices
- Skyrmions lattices can be used to imprint vortex structures in proximal superconducting layers
- Majorana Fermions within skyrmions make skyrmion/ superconducting interfaces highly interesting
3. Emergent topological magnetism in oxide heterostructures
- Electric-field control of topological magnetic textures via ionic gating
- Magnetic meta-surfaces including spin liquids can be formed via ionic gating of magnetic oxide films
- Strain gradient-induced emergence of topological spintronics