Electric field control of the skyrmion lattice in Cu2OSeO3

• Published in: Journal of physics. Condensed matter Vol. 24; no. 43; p. 432201
• Main Authors: White, J S, Levati, I, Omrani, A A, Egetenmeyer, N, Prša, K, ivkovi, I, Gavilano, J L, Kohlbrecher, J, Bartkowiak, M, Berger, H, Rønnow, H M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 31.10.2012; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetomechanical and magnetoelectric effects, magnetostriction; Physics; Ferroic material; Small angle neutron scattering; Chirality; Electric field effects; Magnetoelectric effects; Magnetic field effects; Skyrmions
• ISSN: 0953-8984; 1361-648X
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/24/43/432201

Small-angle neutron scattering has been employed to study the influence of applied electric (E-)fields on the skyrmion lattice in the chiral lattice magnetoelectric Cu2OSeO3. Using an experimental geometry with the E-field parallel to the [111] axis, and the magnetic field parallel to the [ ] axis, we demonstrate that the effect of applying an E-field is to controllably rotate the skyrmion lattice around the magnetic field axis. Our results are an important first demonstration for a microscopic coupling between applied E-fields and the skyrmions in an insulator, and show that the general emergent properties of skyrmions may be tailored according to the properties of the host system.