Noncentrosymmetric Magnets Hosting Magnetic Skyrmions

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 29; no. 25
• Main Authors: Kanazawa, Naoya, Seki, Shinichiro, Tokura, Yoshinori
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.07.2017
• Subjects: Carrier density; Cobalt base alloys; Condensed matter physics; Controllability; Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction; Electric potential; Electromagnetic fields; emergent electromagnetism; Energy management; Energy storage; Ferromagnetism; Fluid flow; Hall effect; Insulators; Magnetic materials; Magnetic properties; Magnetic storage; Magnets; noncentrosymmetric ferromagnets; Particle spin; Particle theory; Physical properties; Power efficiency; skyrmions; spintronics; Stabilization; Topology; Vortices; Zinc base alloys; skyrmions; spintronics; Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction; emergent electromagnetism; noncentrosymmetric ferromagnets
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201603227

The concept of a skyrmion, which was first introduced by Tony Skyrme in the field of particle physics, has become widespread in condensed matter physics to describe various topological orders. Skyrmions in magnetic materials have recently received particular attention; they represent vortex‐like spin structures with the character of nanometric particles and produce fascinating physical properties rooted in their topological nature. Here, a series of noncentrosymmetric ferromagnets hosting skyrmions is reviewed: B20 metals, Cu2OSeO3, Co‐Zn‐Mn alloys, and GaV4S8, where Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction plays a key role in the stabilization of skyrmion spin texture. Their topological spin arrangements and consequent emergent electromagnetic fields give rise to striking features in transport and magnetoelectric properties in metals and insulators, such as the topological Hall effect, efficient electric‐drive of skyrmions, and multiferroic behavior. Such electric controllability and nanometric particle natures highlight magnetic skyrmions as a potential information carrier for high‐density magnetic storage devices with excellent energy efficiency. Skyrmion formation in single‐component magnetic materials with noncentrosymmetric crystal structure is reviewed. Their topological spin arrangements and consequent emergent electromagnetic fields give rise to striking features in transport and magnetoelectric properties in metals and insulators. The electric controllability and nanometric particle nature highlight magnetic skyrmions as a potential information carrier for next‐generation nonvolatile high‐efficiency storage devices.