Steering of Magnetic Skyrmions in Ion Beam Engineered Multilayer Films

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Markus Becherer
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics ; Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering
• Term: from 2018 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 403505866

Skyrmions, i.e. stable spin-textures in ultra-thin ferromagnetic layers, are listed as information carriers (digital states 1 and 0) in integrated, microelectronic and -magnetic devices and systems. In order to use Skyrmions for memory and logic functions, they have to be generated, manipulated and read-out by electronic circuitry. Because of this, we propose to use finely tuned focused-ion-beam patterning to shape the energy potential landscape of magnetic multilayer film stacks in order to create, stabilize, annihilate and steer magnetic Skyrmions by means of electrical currents.In detail, we will first identify ferromagnetic multilayer films, that show a robust and practically relevant Skyrmionic phase. In close cooperation with ab-inito calculations and high-resolution magneto-optical microscopy of our research partners, prospective films stacks will be identified and optimized. In a consecutive step, we will engineer the magnetic properties of the films by various ion beams (Ga, He, and Ar) in order to form potential-wells and -barriers. By that, we will develop a customizable prototyping platform for engineered multilayer films on the nanoscale. The Skyrmions will be moved by electrical currents with an ideally low threshold. In a final step, we will evaluate the Skyrmions in terms of their ability to store and process digital information in fabricated prototypes of micromagnetic devices.In summary, our research aims to evaluate a disruptive nanotechnology for the upcoming needs in low-power and ultimately scaled computing and storage systems.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2137: Skyrmionics: Topological Spin Phenomena in Real-Space for Applications