Journal Article

FZJ-2023-04806

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Hopfion rings in a cubic chiral magnet

Zheng, F. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Kiselev, N. S. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Rybakov, F. N. (Corresponding author) ; Yang, L. ; Shi, W.FZJ* ; Blügel, S.FZJ* ; Dunin-Borkowski, R. E.FZJ*

2023
Nature Publ. Group London [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41586-023-06658-5  doi:10.34734/FZJ-2023-04806

Abstract: Magnetic skyrmions and hopfions are topological solitons1—well-localized field configurations that have gained considerable attention over the past decade owing to their unique particle-like properties, which make them promising objects for spintronic applications. Skyrmions2,3 are two-dimensional solitons resembling vortex-like string structures that can penetrate an entire sample. Hopfions4,5,6,7,8,9 are three-dimensional solitons confined within a magnetic sample volume and can be considered as closed twisted skyrmion strings that take the shape of a ring in the simplest case. Despite extensive research on magnetic skyrmions, the direct observation of magnetic hopfions is challenging10 and has only been reported in a synthetic material11. Here we present direct observations of hopfions in crystals. In our experiment, we use transmission electron microscopy to observe hopfions forming coupled states with skyrmion strings in B20-type FeGe plates. We provide a protocol for nucleating such hopfion rings, which we verify using Lorentz imaging and electron holography. Our results are highly reproducible and in full agreement with micromagnetic simulations. We provide a unified skyrmion–hopfion homotopy classification and offer insight into the diversity of topological solitons in three-dimensional chiral magnets.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Quanten-Theorie der Materialien (PGI-1)
2. Quanten-Theorie der Materialien (IAS-1)
3. Physik Nanoskaliger Systeme (ER-C-1)

Research Program(s):

1. 5211 - Topological Matter (POF4-521) (POF4-521)
2. 3D MAGiC - Three-dimensional magnetization textures: Discovery and control on the nanoscale (856538) (856538)
3. DFG project 403503315 - Grenzflächenstabilisierte Skyrmionen in Oxidstrukturen für die Skyrmionik (403503315) (403503315)

Appears in the scientific report 2023

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